President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the release of over PhP200 million assistance from the Office of the President to local government units in Cebu devastated by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake last Sept. 30.

During his visit to Bogo City, one of the hardest hit by the earthquake, the President announced the release of PhP50 million to the Cebu provincial government: PhP20 million each to Bogo City, Sogod, and San Remigio; and PhP10 million each to the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

The Chief Executive also ordered the release of PhP20 million each to Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and PhP5 million each to provincial hospitals in Cebu.

President Marcos also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release PhP150 million in Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the Cebu provincial government and PhP75 million each to the local government units of San Remigio, Bogo City, and Medellin.

“I assured all of our local executives that this is not — hindi ito minsanan lang. Baka naman isipin ninyo na pag-alis namin dito tapos na lahat. Hindi,” President Marcos said in a statement after presiding over a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall.

“We will continue to monitor. We will continue to coordinate with the leaders, the local leadership to make sure that maganda ang takbo ng ating rehabilitation and all the support na binibigay natin,” said the President.

At the same time, the President said the government is also providing PhP10,000 cash assistance for those whose homes were damaged by the earthquake.

“We are providing for all of those who have been displaced, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga nawalan ng bahay. Binibigyan natin ng 10,000 na cash assistance at least sa umpisa. Kung kailangan pa nila, baka maulit. Titingnan natin kung papaano na ang takbo ng ating recovery,” President Marcos said.

The government is rushing to bring in tents for the proposed tent city to serve as temporary shelter for the families displaced by the earthquake, as many fear returning to their homes due to safety concerns.

The President assured that the ongoing recovery program will continue until all those affected have been assisted with their basic necessities and that commercial enterprises are back in business.

President Marcos arrived in Bogo City on Thursday to personally visit the survivors of the devastating earthquake, oversee relief efforts and extend immediate assistance to affected residents. | PND