Duterte vows P40M to build new hospital in quake-hit Batanes

Manila, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Sunday vowed to provide P40 million to build a new health facility in Batanes and ordered agencies to ensure that affected communities would have enough food and other relief items. 

Duterte said disaster management officials should ensure that their supply line is working so communities affected by the earthquake would continuously receive assistance. 

"Just make sure that your supply line is working and that nobody gets hungry. When people see the government supplies, it raises hope from so much distress," the president said during a briefing on the situation of earthquake-hit areas at Basco Airport. 

READ: 8 killed after magnitude 5.9-quake rocks Batanes

During the briefing, Duterte talked about a hospital damaged by the earthquake that hit the province Saturday. About P40 million is needed to repair the health facility, based on estimates by the Public Works department.

"Ginawa na ng contractor? Saan yung contractor? Patayin mo. Bastos yung contractor na yan (Has the contractor repaired it? Where is the contractor? Kill him. That contractor is disrespectful). Anyway, I’ll be giving you P40 million," Duterte said. 

The president said he was not keen on repairing the hospital because it would be "too expensive and you are not sure of its durability or viability."

"I’ll give you P40 million. I hope you will put it too good use, small clinic or hospital...You would need a transportation that is faster," he added. 

READ: Filipino photographers launch ‘Bayanihan Para sa Batanes’ to help Itbayat quake victims

Duterte also assured local executives that the government has a lot of relief items and food packs on standby. Officials said the government could provide P30,000 assistance for each house that is totally damaged and P20,000 for each partially damaged one. 

Duterte satisfied with disaster response

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte was satisfied with the response to the Batanes quake.

"Yes, we were ready and government agencies prepared for that. Even if we experienced a disaster, the government has a ready response," Panelo said in a radio interview.

Panelo said the government is ready to support the rehabilitation efforts in the province. 

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said government health resources have been mobilized to assist the quake victims especially the residents of Itbayat town. 

"The government's priority now is to ensure that those injured in the earthquake, as well as the families displaced by it, are given adequate medical care. Department of Health Secretary Duque reports that government health assets in Batanes have already been mobilized to tend to the injured and more help is on the way," Nograles said in a statement. 

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While the Itbayat District Hospital suffered minimal cracks, it was still fully functional and would be able to attend to the individuals who need medical assistance, Nograles said.

"Given the state of structures on the island and the possible damage that can be caused by aftershocks, hundreds of families have been advised not to return to their homes in the meantime," he added.

Agencies are also providing tents, water, hygiene kits and medicine to affected families. The government would also send medical teams and mental health teams to quake-devastated areas.