Marcos visits quake-hit Davao Oriental, brings nearly P298-M aid

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

QUAKE-HIT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects the damage incurred by the Manay National High School from last week’s earthquakes during his Davao Oriental visit on Monday (Oct. 13, 2025). The President brought over PHP158 million in aid and assured residents that rehabilitation will be swift and sustained. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited quake-stricken communities in Davao Oriental province on Monday and delivered over PHP298 million in aid to support local recovery efforts in the Davao and Caraga Regions affected by the two powerful earthquakes on Oct. 10.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the assistance includes PHP50 million for the provincial government of Davao Oriental and PHP108.3 million distributed across various local government units:

–PHP15M each for Manay, Banaybanay, and Lupon
–PHP10M each for Mati City, Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel
–PHP5M each for Caraga and San Isidro
–PHP3M for Governor Generoso

In a news release, the Presidential Communications Office said the Office of the President will also provide the following financial assistance: PHP20 million to Agusan del Sur province; PHP15 million each to the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte and Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, and Davao City.

Marcos said other affected LGUs will also be provided with assistance.

The President also said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the provinces affected by the earthquakes.

The President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will tap their Quick Response Fund to support the repair of damaged buildings.

During his visit, Marcos inspected damaged structures at the Manay National High School in Barangay San Ignacio and the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital.

He also visited evacuation centers in Barangay Central and Tarragona Municipal Grounds, where he met affected residents.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed PHP10,000 cash assistance to 35 families and 255 family food packs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development committed support through its Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program, including PHP20 million in financial aid, 150 modular housing units, and PHP50 million worth of construction materials.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling reported to Marcos it is deploying the modular shelter units in Davao Oriental for the quake victims.

Aliling, who is in Cebu to brief the president of quake efforts, said this is part of the planned Bayanihan Village—a temporary housing project designed to give quake victims a “safe and dignified refuge” while permanent solutions are developed.

The deployment of modular shelters in Davao Oriental mirrors similar efforts in Cebu province, where it established a Bayanihan Village in San Remigio, one of the hardest-hit areas by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last Sept. 30.

More sites are being prepared in Daanbantayan and Medellin, also in Cebu, to accommodate displaced residents.

In a meeting with local chief executives (LCEs), the President assured continuous support from the national government.

The assistance follows the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday, affecting parts of Davao Region and neighboring provinces, triggering landslides, power outages, and widespread structural damage.

The two earthquakes displaced thousands of residents and forced several municipalities to declare a state of calamity.

Last Friday, the Department of Health mobilized its Emergency Medical Teams and deployed more medical personnel and resources to Manay, Davao Oriental as the earthquake damaged the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Also deployed is a drinking water treatment plant mobile unit to provide clean and safe drinking water.

The department provided medical supplies, public health commodities, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) materials, along with nutrition support items for evacuees.

Healthy Secretary Ted Herbosa said medical tents were set up and healthcare workers dispatched to ensure continuous patient care after the hospital sustained significant structural damage.