President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to fly to areas affected by the Abra earthquake to assess the damage, Malacañang said Wednesday.
The chief executive is currently in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and local officials for the immediate dispatch of rescue and relief teams to Abra, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.
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He asked telcos to provide free communication in areas affected by the earthquake to keep communication channels open, she added.
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"He will immediately fly to the area as soon as the all clear is given," Angeles said, without mentioning the date and time.
"Right now nakatutok siya dito sa ating disaster relief and response," she also said, adding that Marcos and his first family were unharmed.
In a separate Facebook post, Marcos also assured that assistance will be given to those affected by the earthquake.
"Sa kabila ng nakalulungkot na mga ulat tungkol sa pinsalang dulot ng lindol, ating sinisigurado ang maagap na pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang apektado ng sakunang ito," he said.
"Sa aking mga kababayan lalo na sa Abra, maging mapagmatyag tayo at lumapit sa mga miyembro ng gobyerno kapag nangangailangan ng tulong. Mag-isa tayong bumangon sa pagsubok na ito," he also said in his native Ilocano.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Tayum, Abra at 8:43 a.m. on Wednesday, with the tremor also felt in parts of Metro Manila and even as far as Quezon province.
Photos coming from provinces in northern Luzon showed the extent of the damage of the earthquake as houses fell and structures crumbled.
The Phivolcs warned that aftershocks may occur following the initial earthquake.
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