Lorenzana to lead relief efforts in Mindanao quake-hit areas

FILE: Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana giving his remarks for the oath-takers of professional conduct for the AFP Modernization Phase 2. (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has been tasked to lead the government’s relief operations in areas hit by powerful earthquakes in Mindanao.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, acting as the government’s officer-in-charge, has delegated Lorenzana as the point person for the immediate delivery of assistance to the victims of the series of quakes in Mindanao.

“I have tasked Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, as head of the Department of National Defense (DND) and Martial Law Administrator, to lead all relief efforts, and to ensure safety and security of the public in the earthquake-stricken areas of Mindanao,” Medialdea said in a statement sent to media on Saturday.

President Rodrigo Duterte is currently in Thailand to attend the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits from November 2 to 4.

The President’s participation in the Asean summit pushed through, despite the series of earthquakes that shook Mindanao in the past days.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rocked Tulunan, Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao on Thursday morning.
Duterte already directed all concerned government agencies to attend to the needs of the quake victims in Mindanao.

Medialdea has been designated as the government’s OIC who will “act for and on behalf of the President, except on matters that the President is required by the Constitution to act in person,” during the days when Duterte is out of the country.

“The public is advised to coordinate directly with the DND and/or National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to ensure the efficient conduct of relief efforts, including the distribution of relief goods and rescue operations,” he said.

Malacañang earlier assured that the President will continue monitoring the situation in quake-hit areas in Mindanao, while he is in Thailand.