TAGBILARAN CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA)–President Benigno Aquino III instructed his cabinet to remain steadfast and assist Boholanos in this critical situation after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the province on October 15.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Mar Roxas articulated the President’s directive of ‘Walang Iwanan’ to Bohol governor Edgar Chatto during the governor’s weekly radio program, “Kita Og Ang Gobernador” at the People’s Mansion. Sec. Roxas was his guest at the radio program.
Roxas also told governor Chatto that the President will send four helicopters to Bohol to airlift relief goods and other forms of assistance in areas that are remote and inaccessible due to damaged roads.
Roxas said some members of the cabinet are here in Bohol to give utmost support to the endeavors of the provincial, city and local government units of Bohol.
Cabinet members who were guests at the radio program also included DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman and government spokesperson Edwin Lacierda who encouraged the Boholanos to be stronger amid the disaster.
Governor Chatto called on the leaders and the people of Bohol to strengthen unity and to keep the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit afire especially for the earthquake victims.
Chatto firmly believed that Bohol will rise from the rubbles despite these daunting adversity.
He thanked the Aquino administration for its continued support and quick response to calls of immediate help and assistance that he thinks will still take sometime to rehabilitate those damaged infrastructure.
Chatto, in his closing statement reported that as of October 17, there were already 160 deaths, 186 injured and 20 are still missing in Bohol. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)