President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed relevant government agencies to mobilize resources and provide immediate assistance to Myanmar and Thailand following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, which was also felt in Thailand.

“Iyan po ay ipinag-utos po ng Pangulo sa ating mga agency na agaran po na tumulong sa ating mga kapitbahay na bansa,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Malacañang press briefing on Monday.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led an interagency meeting that has provisionally agreed to deploy a response team of 114 personnel from various government agencies on Tuesday.

Castro reported that some Filipinos were affected by the earthquake in Myanmar and parts of Thailand.

She said that the contingent will consist of teams from various organizations, including the Department of Health (DOH), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Urban Search and Rescue Unit, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and private sector partners such as Apex Mining Corporation and First Gen Energy Development.

“Nagkaroon po ng interagency meeting at sa pangunguna rin po ni Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. ay sinabi po na imo-mobilize na po ang mga resources para po agad tayong makatulong sa ating mga karatig-bansa,” Castro said.

She said that the government’s emergency response efforts will focus on medical aid, search and rescue operations, and logistical support for recovery initiatives in affected areas.

The Philippine embassies in Myanmar and Thailand are also closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos in both countries. | PND