MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the release of P298 million in financial assistanceto local government units (LGUs) in the Davao and Caraga Regions affected by the twin earthquakes that struck on October 10.

During his visit to Manay and Tarragona in Davao Oriental, among the hardest-hit areas, the President announced that the Office of the President (OP) will provide financial aid ranging from P15 million to P50 million to nine provinces and P3 million to P15 million to 12 cities and municipalities.

“It’s up to the LGU kung paano ninyo gagamitin ito,” Marcos said during a situation briefing outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall.

“The reason binibigay namin itong pondo sa inyo dahil as a former governor I know na lahat ng bawat lugar may kaibahan sa pangangailangan,” he added. “That’s why ang thinking namin, ibigay na lang namin sa inyo ang pondo. Alam ninyo, mas alam ninyo kaysa sa amin ang pangangailangan doon sa area ninyo.”

Under the assistance package, the OP allocated P50 million to Davao Oriental; P15 million each to the municipalities of Manay, Banaybanay, and Lupon; P10 million each to Mati City and the municipalities of Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel; P5 million each to Caraga and San Isidro; and P3 million to Governor Generoso.

Other financial aid allocations include P20 million to Agusan del Sur, and P15 million each to the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Davao City.

Marcos said other affected LGUs will also receive assistance.

The President added that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to help affected provinces recover, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will use its Quick Response Fund for the repair of damaged buildings.