The Manila Times
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon immediately flew to General Santos City on Monday afternoon to personally assess the damage caused by a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the area earlier in the day. Joining Dizon were officials from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) as the government launched an on-ground assessment of affected communities. The inspection focused on determining the extent of damage to critical infrastructure and identifying areas requiring urgent intervention. Dizon said the DPWH moved swiftly following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to deploy assessment teams across quake-hit areas. The teams were tasked with evaluating the structural integrity of key public facilities, including hospitals, schools, government buildings, and other vital infrastructure. Authorities are working to determine whether any of these structures pose safety risks to residents and frontline workers. The DPWH chief also ordered the immediate repair of damaged roads and bridges to ensure the uninterrupted movement of emergency responders and relief supplies. According to Dizon, restoring access routes is a top priority as rescue and humanitarian operations continue in affected communities. The secretary stressed that transportation delays could hamper the delivery of food, medicine, and other essential assistance to earthquake victims.
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