The safety and well-being of residents affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on October 10 remain President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s top priority, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said on Saturday.

Gomez said President Marcos has directed all concerned frontline agencies to work around the clock to carry out rescue and relief operations.

“The President’s paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our people in the earthquake-struck areas,” the PCO chief said in a statement.

“On the instructions of the President, all concerned frontline agencies were tasked to work round the clock to provide rescue and relief operations,” Gomez emphasized.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on October 10 has no connection to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu on September 30.

President Marcos has instructed government agencies to provide assistance in all areas affected by the earthquakes. | PND