Former solon calls for gov’t aid after Sarangani landslide

IN response to the landslide that hit Sarangani three days ago, former 1Tahanan Partylist Rep. Nathan Oducado called for an immediate whole-of-government response, sustained assistance for survivors, and renewed urgency in passing long-term disaster resilience measures to better protect vulnerable affected communities.

“Our first responsibility is to save lives, care for the affected families, and make sure no community is left behind as recovery begins,” former Representative Nathan Oducado said. “The national government must sustain relief operations long after the emergency ends because rebuilding lives takes far longer than responding to a disaster.”

Heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Inday triggered the landslide in Malapatan, Sarangani on July 10, burying homes and killing at least 10 people as search, rescue, and retrieval operations continued. The tragedy struck barely a month after the devastating June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake that left parts of Sarangani vulnerable to landslides and ground instability.

Oducado said his office immediately coordinated with local partners and mobilized available assistance for affected families while monitoring the situation on the ground to determine additional relief requirements.

“We have extended assistance where we can, but this tragedy requires the full support of the national government,” Oducado said. “Families need food, shelter, medical care, psychosocial support, and livelihood assistance not just today, but throughout the recovery process.”

During his term in Congress, Oducado consistently pushed legislation to strengthen disaster resilience, including House Bill No. 6967, or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure Integrity Act of 2025, which seeks to establish an independent body to ensure infrastructure safety, accountability, and resilience against natural disasters.

Oducado also supported the creation of a dedicated Department of Disaster Resilience through House Bill No. 234, recognizing the need for a permanent institution focused solely on disaster preparedness, response, rehabilitation, and recovery.

“We cannot continue reacting to disasters after lives have already been lost,” Oducado said. “Congress must prioritize measures that strengthen preparedness, enforce resilient infrastructure standards, and improve coordination among government agencies before the next tragedy strikes.”

Oducado likewise urged national agencies to accelerate damage assessment, provide adequate funding for rehabilitation, restore critical infrastructure, and ensure that displaced families receive continued government assistance until they can safely return to their communities.

“Our fellow Filipinos in Sarangani deserve more than sympathy,” Oducado said. “They deserve a government that responds quickly, rebuilds responsibly, and prepares every community to withstand the disasters we know will come.”