VP Sara visits wake of Mindanao earthquake fatalities

Vice President Sara Duterte visited the wake and remains of those who died due to the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Davao Occidental on Friday.

In separate social media posts on Sunday, Duterte—who is the country’s caretaker while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in the United States—said that she visited the bodies of six individuals in Sarangani and General Santos City.

Among those she went to was the Ladera Funeral Homes in the municipality of Glan to see the remains of a mother and child who died when a landslide hit their home in Barangay Mudan.

She also visited the remains of another victim who died after getting hit by a post in Glan, as well as the wake of three more fatalities at the Villa Funeral Homes in General Santos City.

Duterte also went to Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Glan to personally check the condition of individuals who sustained injuries due to the earthquake.

She also stopped by the Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Alabel to visit a patient who suffered a stroke, and another one who was buried by debris due to the earthquake.

“Malalim ang kalungkutan na nadarama natin sa pagkawala ng mga buhay at sa lahat ng pinsalang dala ng nangyaring lindol. Ipinapaabot ko ang aking taos-pusong pakikiramay, at namigay rin tayo ng tulong pinansyal sa lahat ng mga pamilyang kasalukuyang humaharap sa mga hamong dala ng disaster,” Duterte said in a statement.

(We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and all the damage caused by the earthquake. I extend my sincere condolences, and we have also given financial assistance to all the families who are facing the challenges brought by the disaster.)

The reported death toll due to the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Mindanao went up to nine, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

Eight of the reported fatalities were in Soccsksargen and one was in the Davao Region.

Duterte also said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “very concerned” about the effects of the earthquake, and said he has expressed his appreciation for the quick response of all concerned government agencies.

She also reminded Filipinos to be prepared for disasters in their own homes.

“Sa harap ng mga trahedya, pinapaalalahanan ko ang ating mga kababayan na bigyang kahalagahan ang disaster-preparedness sa household level. Ang pag-iingat sa ating mga pamilya, pagkakaroon ng emergency kits, at pagkakaroon ng plano sa kalamidad ay mahalaga upang mailigtas natin ang ating mga sarili at ang ating mga mahal sa buhay,” she added.

(Amid the tragedies, I remind our countrymen to give importance to disaster-preparedness at the household level. Taking care of our families, having emergency kits, and having a disaster plan are important so that we can save ourselves and our loved ones.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News