Tarragona: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that the government will stay on the ground in earthquake-hit communities for as long as necessary, not just for emergency relief, but until every displaced family is fully back on their feet. ‘Sabihin ninyo sa amin. Kung kaya namin dalhin, kaya namin ibigay, gagawin namin (Tell us what you need. If we can bring it, if we can provide it, we will do it),’ Marcos told affected residents and local chief executives during a post-disaster briefing in Tarragona, Davao Oriental. ‘Hindi ito pang minsanan lamang . Wala sa amin aalis dito hangga’t lahat ng mga citizens na natamaan ay nakabalik na sa more or less na normal na buhay (This is not a one-time effort . None of us will leave until all affected citizens have returned to a more or less normal life),’ he added.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos visited areas affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on Oct. 10. He brought some PHP298 million in financial aid to affected local governments.

As part of this long-haul strategy, Marcos ordered the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to scrap tent encampments and immediately build sturdier modular shelters. ‘Yung naging solusyon namin sa Cebu was tent city. Pero mayroon tayong mas bagong sistema (In Cebu, we used tent cities. But now we have a better system),’ he shared.

At least 150 modular units will be erected in Davao Oriental starting Friday, with residents expected to move in by Monday. Each unit will have toilets, water, and electricity supply, and shared kitchens.

The President urged residents not to hesitate in requesting for additional support, stressing that agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, and DHSUD will maintain their presence on-site. ‘Kayo ang nakakaalam kung saan ‘yung problema (You know where the problems are),’ he told local officials. ‘So long as you need food, shelter, or medicine, andito kami (we will be here).’