Quake victims told to get aid at evacuation centers

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 — To expedite the release of relief items and goods for those severely affected by the Mindanao earthquakes, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged quake victims to go to their designated evacuation centers and barangay halls for assistance.

The defense chief made this appeal following reports that some quake victims are begging for help in the streets.

“They should go to those places where the assistance is waiting for them,” Lorenzana, the government official tasked to oversee rescue-and-relief efforts in Mindanao, said in a statement late Monday.

Lorenzana also instructed barangay officials to assist in the distribution of relief goods and management of evacuation centers.

Likewise, local government officials and the police are also directed to clear the highways of displaced persons and bring them to evacuation centers so that they can receive relief services.

The DND chief also directed all government agencies to support the ongoing relief operations being spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Office of Civil Defense.

He also appealed to all partner agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to closely coordinate with each other to ensure the expeditious delivery of relief services supporting various evacuations in the quake-affected regions.

Aside from relief efforts, the DND chief also urged these agencies to focus on steps that will help facilitate the early recovery of the affected communities.