SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III recently stressed that the recent earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao highlights the need to further strengthen local disaster preparedness and risk-based planning, particularly in areas vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides, and flooding.
Speaking last Thursday at an interview in General Santos City, where he led a House delegation assessing the impact of the disaster, Dy emphasized that while earthquakes cannot be predicted the same way typhoons can, local governments can still reduce risks through proper planning and hazard mapping.
“Kapag may bagyo, nakakapaghanda tayo kung gaano kalakas yung bagyo o typhoon. Pero pagkadating ng earthquake, importante lamang malaman natin kung nasan yung sentro, kung san tatama. Para sa ganun, ang pagpaplano ng local government unit ay maiayos,” Dy said.
The Speaker said local governments must take into account all hazards affecting their communities—not only earthquakes but also landslides and floods—to better protect residents and minimize casualties during disasters.
“Katulad na kung halimbawa ay yan ay prone sa hindi lang sa earthquake kundi sa landslide, prone sa flood. Para sa ganun makaiwas tayo sa mga aksidente. At sana laging unahin natin ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Dy’s remarks build on earlier commitments made by the House of Representatives during the Mindanao earthquake response.
The Speaker earlier announced that the House would help ensure that all earthquake-related hospital expenses of injured victims would be covered, regardless of whether they were admitted to public or private hospitals.
He also said that lawmakers from the region would help assess infrastructure damage for possible inclusion in the proposed 2027 national budget.
During the General Santos visit, Dy reiterated that rehabilitation of critical public infrastructure—including hospitals, airports, roads, bridges, and other public facilities—would be among the priorities identified by the House delegation for funding consideration.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that relief assistance can reach affected communities quickly, noting that damaged roads have complicated transport and response operations.
The Speaker said Congress remains ready to support both immediate relief efforts and longer-term recovery measures.
“Kami po ay nakikiisa at nakikiramay at makakaasa po kayo sa amin pong patuloy na pagtulong para matiyak na makabangon po tayo ng sabay sabay sa problema na to,” Dy said.
Leading more than 100 House members who have joined the relief drive, Dy has been coordinating closely with local officials and lawmakers from Region XII to identify urgent needs and ensure that both emergency assistance and rehabilitation support are delivered to affected communities.
“Ang importante po dito, bilang mga Pilipino maging matibay po tayo. Babangon po tayo, sama-sama. Ito po yung importante, yung kooperasyon at tulungan ng bawat isa.”
