Teachers from areas struck by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake will undergo psychosocial support training to ensure the mental and emotional wellness of students, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

During his visit to General Santos City, Marcos emphasized the need to help the learners cope with the effects of the earthquake.

Marcos said the Department of Health has a program that provides mental health support for children who have experienced disasters and other traumatic events.

“Kausap ko ang mga teacher at sinabi ko sa kanila alalahanin nila na traumatizing itong experience para sa mga estudyante, para sa mga bata (I spoke with the teachers and reminded them that this experience is traumatic for the students, especially the children),” he said after inspecting the damaged structures in General Santos City.

Marcos said teachers would receive training to help students become emotionally and mentally stable after the quake.

He said the mental recovery of learners is among the government’s priorities, as it helps communities recover from the disaster.

“Yung mga teacher mismo ang gagawin nila meron silang training after this. Magte-training sila para diyan, precisely para makausap (The teachers themselves will undergo training after this. They will be trained for that, precisely so they can talk to and) provide a little therapy sa ating mga estudyante (to our students). That is one of the main concerns,” Marcos said.

The President also vowed assistance for teachers whose houses were damaged, noting that they may seek help from the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Marcos oversaw the distribution of food packs and PHP5,000 cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Program for 4,000 workers who lost their jobs due to the disaster. (PNA)