Duterte to visit quake-hit Pampanga today, says Palace

Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:58:01 +0000

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will visit Pampanga on Tuesday, after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zambales and affected other parts of Luzon.

In a text message, Palace spokesman Salavdor Panelo confirmed the President’s visit at 2:45 p.m.

The President is expected to meet with local officials and to personally check on the people affected by the earthquake.

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon on Monday afternoon, reportedly killing eight persons, damaging some buildings and roads, and causing a power outage.

Authorities said the center of the tectonic quake was in Castillejos, Zambales.

Malacañang has assured the nation that the government was monitoring the situation after the quake but called for vigilance and cooperation.

“We ask the public to remain calm but vigilant and we urge them to refrain from spreading disinformation in social media that may cause undue alarm, panic, and stress to many people,” Panelo said in a statement late Monday.

“We call upon our citizen’s innate Bayanihan spirit and request their cooperation, patience and understanding in this time of need,” he added.

Panelo said the first responders from the the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine National Police, and affected local government units, as well as other related agencies, were cooperating to look after the needs of the affected citizens.

He noted that the Departments of Transportation and Energy have been placed on “full alert” to address the disruption of transportation services and power supply interruptions.

“We assure our people that concerned agencies of the government are already responding and assisting those in troubled conditions and shall continue to do so for as long as necessary,” Panelo said.

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