House grieves with Myanmar, Thailand

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives expressed its deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Myanmar and Thailand, following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that claimed at least a thousand lives.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events unfolding in Myanmar and Thailand. On behalf of the House, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and those who continue to suffer in the aftermath,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

“In this moment of great hardship, we extend not only our deepest sympathies, but also our steadfast support. The Philippines, as a brother in the ASEAN family, stands ready to help in any way we can,” Romualdez added.

The powerful earthquake struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region on March 28, killing over 1,600 people, injuring thousands more, and causing massive damage to infrastructure.

In neighboring Thailand, Bangkok suffered significant impacts, resulting in at least 10 deaths and widespread structural damage.

Romualdez assured both countries, and Filipinos affected, that the Marcos administration and the House of Representatives stand ready to offer immediate assistance, underscoring the Philippines’ commitment to aiding neighboring nations in crisis.

He further urged lawmakers to proactively engage in crafting legislation to strengthen disaster resilience and preparedness across the region, highlighting that cooperation in times of disaster is critical.

The Speaker also acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health, which swiftly mobilized to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Myanmar and Thailand while preparing aid for affected communities.

He appealed to the international community to lend substantial support to Myanmar and Thailand, noting that the scale of destruction demands collective global efforts.