PNoy To Visit Parts of Cebu, Bohol

President Benigno Aquino III has scheduled a visit on Wednesday areas of Cebu and Bohol that are badly hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 108 people according to data from the Office of Civil Defense – Region VII.

“I’ll be going to Bohol and Cebu tomorrow (Wednesday) and, if possible, other areas,” Aquino told reporters during an interview in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday afternoon, Gma news online said.

PNoy has made the announcement despite his scheduled state visit to South Korea later in the week, which he said will still push through as of now. The President has explained that it would be a waste to turn down Korea’s invitation since he has been invited by the Korean government for two times already.

“So after na-set ito, bigla nating kakanselin, baka naman ma-delay yung magandang pag-uugnayan natin sa Korea,” PNoy said.

The Philippines and South Korea government are expected to sign an MOU (memorandum of understanding) on defense issues during the state visit, Gma news online said.

Aquino noted, however, that said his attendance will still depend on the situation in Visayas region. “Kung ang assessment ay there are a lot of things that are not being taken cared of, then we will reconsider the visit. Pero, as of this time, yung things that have to be done are being done,” he said.

The President said that one of his first instructions to government agencies is to make sure that there are no more potential dangers to the residents. He also said they are looking into how the government can retrofit old buildings to withstand earthquakes, Gma news online report said.

President Aquino said they have earlier place safety measures like the distribution of geohazard maps that allows residents to be warned against dangerous places.

“Kasama na rin doon sa tinatrabaho pang land use na planning, gagamitin mo itong geohazard maps para siguradong malayo sa sakuna ang iyong sinasakupan, na obligasyon mo under the general welfare provision of the Constitution and various other laws,” he said.

The President also pointed out the government’s efforts to remove informal settlers from danger zones, Gma news online reported.

Earlier the provincial government of both Bohol and Cebu have declared a state of calamity.

Source: Gma news online