DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said they would to coordinate on the assistance to be sent by the WHO as well as those coming from other international organizations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is ready to provide aid to the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus on Friday, Oct. 3, said they sympathize with the Philippines, especially those affected by the powerful earthquake.
“My thoughts are with everyone in the Philippines, especially those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake,” Ghebreyesus said in a social media post. “WHO is ready to support the government to meet the health needs of the people affected.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Health welcomed the offer of the WHO to help Cebu during this very difficult time. DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said they would just need to coordinate on the assistance to be sent by the WHO as well as those coming from other international organizations.
“We were informed not only by the WHO but also by other foreign partners that, if needed, they are ready,” he said. “We are just avoiding for things to get out of hand if there are many people coming in at the same time. So we coordinate everything first and they will come in at a moment’s notice.”
Lawmakers help
In House Resolution No. 325, authors Speaker Faustino Dy III, majority leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos and minority leader 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan urged all members of the House to do their part in helping the victims recover from the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Bagong Henerasyon party-list said it will support moves of the House to pitch in for disaster relief to quake-hit areas.
“In previous Congresses, the House made sure communities and even destroyed churches were given needed funds for reconstruction,” Herrera recalled.
Nazal added he will make sure that the 2026 budget will have specific funds for post-earthquake rehabilitation for the towns and barangays that suffered the most in Cebu.
For his part, Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong expressed yesterday his support for the call of President Marcos for an emergency fund for quake victims.
Airlines join relief ops
Local air carriers Philippine Airlines Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines are preparing to airlift basic necessities, including fresh drinking water and other essential supplies, for the victims of earthquake in Cebu.
Cebu Pacific said “we packed more than just relief goods as we also packed HOPE. Thank you for the initiative and making Cebu Pacific Air part of it.”
PAL, together with LT Group, is preparing to airlift basic necessities, including drinking water and other essential supplies, to help sustain ongoing relief operations.
“These efforts will be undertaken within the capabilities of our available aircraft, as we carry out humanitarian missions alongside our regular flight schedules,” it said.
AirAsia said it is “working with government agencies, NGOs and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation to help transport emergency medical teams and essential supplies to Cebu. This is to aid in the recovery process, provide comfort and help rebuild lives.”
Meanwhile, Tingog party-list rolled out its initial relief mission to assist affected families by distributing food packs to thousands of residents. – With additional reports from Janvic Mateo, Jose Rodel Clapano, Michael Punongbayan and Rudy Santos
Article by: OneNews
Photo by: Aldo Banaynal, The Freeman
