House Speaker coordinates aid for Mindanao earthquake victims

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez assured residents of Mindanao affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that the House of Representatives is coordinating with relevant agencies for a swift and effective response.

His office is actively coordinating with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The House is committed to assisting the national government in mobilizing resources needed for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected communities.

The magnitude of the earthquake was initially reported as 7.2 but was later scaled down to 6.8 by Phivolcs.

Affected areas include Davao Occidental, Saranggani, and South Cotabato.

The office of Speaker Romualdez and the Tingog party-list will provide P20 million in aid as well as 5,000 food packs for the victims.

The Speaker also helped in the release of P10 million in medical assistance and another P10 million for individuals in crisis, with construction materials also to be given to affected residents.

The Office of the House Speaker is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the repair of damaged public structures.

Seven people died from the earthquake, according to the Office of Civil Defense.