“Marcos Jr. and his leadership capacity in times of calamity will be put to the test as the government crams to respond to the victims of the magnitude 7 quake that heavily affected Ilocos, Abra, and nearby provinces.” At least five died and more than 130 were injured in the powerful quake. More than 3,400 families or more than 12,000 individuals in the Cordillera Administration region were displaced due to the quake.

The seismic quake felt in 200 towns across 15 provinces caused damage to infrastructure including more than 400 houses, buildings, and cultural heritage sites such as the Vigan Cathedral and Banta Bell Tower in Ilocos Sur. Bridges and national roads were also damaged. The initial estimated cost of damage according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center is P33.8 billion.

“Ilocos provinces are known turf of the Marcoses. The President, Senator Imee Marcos, Ilocos Reps. Sandro Marcos and Angelo Barba, Ilocos Governor Matthew Marcos, Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos-Araneta, Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon should be running on their feet to aid their constituents and all those affected by the quake. The same goes for the Singson dynasty in Ilocos Sur,” says KMP peasant leader Rafael Mariano.

“Dapat maramdaman ng mga taga Norte — lalo na ng mga mahihirap na nabiktima ng lindol — ang tulong ng mga Marcos at ng iba pang dinastiyang nakaupo sa pwesto. The new administration has a total of P699.6 billion in calamity fund and P14.7 billion national disaster risk reduction management fund at its disposal. The North will remember how Marcos Jr. managed during this time of catastrophe.”

“Quake victims especially marginalized sectors whose houses were damaged or destroyed and livelihoods were affected need immediate assistance and cash aid. In the long term, calamity victims need support for recovery and rehabilitation,” Mariano concluded.