President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited General Santos City on June 10 to inspect schools and facilities damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, announcing P100 million in financial aid for city hall repairs and P50,000 each for families who lost loved ones in the disaster.
Schools and Hospitals on Marcos Itinerary
Accompanied by Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, the President first visited St. Elizabeth Hospital to check on injured quake victims, then proceeded to Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School and General Santos National High School. Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined the school inspections to assess the extent of structural damage.
Marcos assured the public that the national government would provide sustained support for relief, rehabilitation, and recovery. He also directed concerned agencies to prioritize the safety of learners as engineers continue inspecting school buildings across the city.
Financial Assistance Detailed
During his visit to the Oval Plaza in GenSan, Marcos oversaw the distribution of financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. The key assistance packages include:
- P100 million allocated for the repair of General Santos City Hall, which sustained heavy structural damage during the June 8 quake
- P50,000 death benefit for each family that lost a member in the earthquake
- Food packs and relief goods distributed through DSWD and local disaster offices
- Mental health support services coordinated with the Department of Health for traumatized students and residents
- Deployment of DPWH engineers for infrastructure assessment and rapid repair of critical facilities
- Continued class suspension pending safety evaluations of all public and private school buildings
Marcos emphasized that the safety of children remains the top priority and that classes will only resume once buildings are certified safe by engineers. He also ordered concerned agencies to fast-track the release of Quick Response Funds.
Continued Support from National Agencies
Cabinet officials including Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa have all visited GenSan as part of the coordinated response. The Department of Budget and Management confirmed that funds are available for immediate deployment to affected areas.
DPWH reported that initial damage estimates in General Santos City alone reached approximately P1 billion, affecting government buildings, schools, hospitals, and commercial establishments.
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