Palace Requests for Clean Drinking Water for Quake-Hit Surigao

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday appealed for clean and potable drinking water for the residents of Surigao del Norte.

Surigao, where the Secretary hails, was hit by 6.7 magnitude earthquake last Friday killing at least six people and causing massive damage to infrastructures. “Mahalaga po dito ang tubig sa Surigao ‘yung potable water, iyon po ang mahalaga dito ngayon,” Andanar said in an interview on government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

He said non-government organizations and private individuals who want to send aid may coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or with other government agencies under PCOO such as PTV-4 and Radyo ng Bayan.

Andanar said all concerned agencies such as DSWD, Department of Health, military and the police are working together to help the victims of the earthquake. He noted that the recent earthquake was the strongest to hit his hometown since 1800.

He said while assistance continues to pour in, the government has to focus on relief and rehabilitation efforts to help the province get back on its feet. He added that there is still no electricity in some areas in Surigao and the airport is still closed due to a damaged runway.

“Kailangan sa mga panahong ito, lahat tayo ay mag-sama-sama para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan,” he said. (PND)