Marcos visits Davao, orders P158-M in aid for quake-hit area
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday visited earthquake-hit areas in Davao, ordering additional funding for a bailiwick of the Duterte family.
Davao Oriental and nearby provinces were shaken when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the waters near Manay town on October 10. Within the same day, a magnitude 6.8 aftershock was also recorded.
In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the president was undeterred by political differences and chose to visit the stronghold of his former allies given the gravity of the situation.
“Hindi po matatakot ang Pangulo na siya ay pumunta sa Davao dahil ang mga taga-Davao ay kababayan natin at sila po ngayon ay nangangailangan ng tulong, so huwag gawing pamumulitika ito para takutin ang Presidente para pumunta ng Davao,” Marcos said. (“The president is not afraid to go to Davao because the people of Davao are our fellow citizens who need help. Let’s not turn it into politics to discourage him from going there.”)
Despite being issued a public threat by Vice President Sara Duterte in 2024, Marcos inspected several areas in Davao Oriental, including Manay National School and the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital.
Marcos ordered funds from the Office of the President to be redirected to several local government units in the affected areas, as follows:
- Provincial Government of Davao Oriental - P50 million
- Manay - P15 million
- Banaybanay - P15 million
- Lupon - P15 million
- Mati City - P10 million
- Tarragona - P10 million
- Baganga - P10 million
- Boston - P10 million
- Cateel - P10 million
- Caraga - P5 million
- San Isidro - P5 million
- Governor Generoso - P3 million
The total amount of redirected funds reached roughly ?158 million, according to Malacañang.
Marcos said the amounts were based on the extent of the earthquake’s impact and the varying needs of each locality.
“As a former governor, I know that each place has different needs,” he said in Filipino.
At least eight people were reported dead due to the earthquake in Davao, while 403 others were injured. More than half a million residents were affected, according to initial government reports.
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