Senator Leila M. de Lima has extended her deep sympathies to all the Mindanaoans who were severely affected by the series of powerful earthquakes that recently hit Tulunan, Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao.
De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said she prays for the safety and continued resilience of the local residents from different areas of Mindanao to help them rebuild their lives after the tragedies.
“Nakikiramay po tayo sa mga kababayan nating apektado ng sunod-sunod na lindol sa Mindanao, lalo na sa mga pamilya ng mga pumanaw dahil sa trahedya,” she said.
“Patuloy po nating ipagdasal ang katatagan ng mga residente na ngayo’y nangungulila dahil sa pagkawala ng mahal nila sa buhay, at ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.
Latest government figures showed that the death toll from the series of powerful earthquakes that jolted Mindanao this week have collectively claimed at least 17 lives and injured 327 people as of Nov. 2.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed three casualties in Region XI after the 6.6 magnitude earthquake last October 29, while 14 casualties were recorded in Region XII after the earthquake on the same day, as well as the 6.5 magnitude quake late Oct. 31.
Note that the earthquake last Oct. 31 is the third to hit Mindanao in less than a month, following a 6.3 magnitude quake on October 16 and the 6.6 magnitude tremor on October 29 which supposedly led to the weakening of the structures in the area.
Aside from ensuring the safety of the residents in Mindanao, the lady Senator from Bicol said she hopes that the government would promptly and efficiently give the needed assistance to the families affected by the consecutive earthquakes.
“Nawa’y agarang maipagkaloob ang ayuda para sa kanila at mabilis na maipatupad ang kinakailangang rehabilitasyon sa mga apektadong komunidad. We need to help the people recover immediately,” she said.
De Lima, a social justice and human rights advocate, recently filed Senate Bill No. 1123 seeking to provide a five-day special emergency leave with pay for all workers in the public and private sectors directly affected by natural calamities or disasters in the country.
