Key Cabinet officials immediately responded in the aftermath of the strong earthquakes that hit Davao region on Friday, prompting a rapid deployment of relief items, road-clearing operations, and emergency shelter efforts.

Immediately after the earthquake, President Ferdinand Marcos directed Cabinet officials, including Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to act swiftly, coordinate closely, and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

Dizon said the public works and highways department immediately began road clearing operations in Davao Oriental ? the quake’s epicenter ? and surrounding provinces including Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte.

As of Saturday, Dizon said national highways are now fully passable, while assessment of damaged hospitals, schools, and homes is underway.

“Kagabi pa lang tinawagan po kami ni Pangulong Marcos para utusan kami to come here today to number one, provide the most immediate relief necessary para sa mga kababayan nating tinamaan, lalo na sa Davao Oriental, yung epicenter ng lindol,” Dizon said in a press conference in Davao City on Saturday with Angara, Gatchalian and Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno.

“As of today (Saturday) completely passable na po ‘yung ating national highways and pati ‘yung mga provincial and municipal and city roads, kini-clear na rin. At most of them are already passable except ‘yung mga ibang roads natin sa mga bundok na tinamaan ng mga medyo grabe ang landslide,” Dizon added.

Dizon said that while some minor cracks have been observed in bridges and road structures, no major structural damage has been reported so far.

“Tuloy-tuloy yan and mabilis natin papagawa ‘yan kasi sabi nga ni Pangulo, we have to move fast to bring normalcy dun sa situation,” Dizon said.

Gatchalian assured that the social welfare department is fully equipped to support all affected families.

“Before the earthquake, we had 100,000 family food packs pre-positioned in the Davao Region alone. These are ready for immediate distribution,” he said.

Gatchalian added that the department's repacking centers in Manila and Cebu are continuously producing 25,000 food packs per day, ensuring sustained supply of relief goods. Additional stockpiles in nearby regions like Caraga are also on standby.

He added that they are working closely with the Philippine Red Cross and local government units to set up temporary shelters for families whose homes were damaged or deemed unsafe.

Large tents are also being deployed for use by hospitals with structural issues to ensure that patients remain safe and protected from the elements.

Gatchalian added that financial assistance for families whose homes sustained partial or total damage is also being prepared.

He emphasized that even with simultaneous disaster relief operations ? including the typhoon relief in Masbate and earthquake response in Cebu ? the DSWD remains fully capable of addressing urgent needs in the Davao region

Meanwhile, Angara thanked his counterparts for the coordinated response and confirmed that the DepEd has already started assessing school infrastructure damage.

Angara said for minor school repairs, DepEd will release funds directly to the affected regional and division offices.

DepEd and DPWH are also coordinating to ensure that all damaged school sites will undergo ground safety assessments before any rebuilding takes place to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.

The DepEd is also coordinating with the DSWD in preparing aid for affected teachers and students. Presidential News Desk