Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. —Photos by Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, along with other secretaries, visited the families affected by the recent earthquake and flash floods in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, on Monday.

In a Facebook post by the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Abalos, together with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, assured the government’s assistance to the victims at the evacuation site in Sitio Talanasan.

The secretaries also visited the ground zero in Sitio Kibatang in Barangay Sugal.

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This came after the deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, followed by the recent flash floods caused by the southwest monsoon triggered by Super Typhoon Inday on July 10.

READ: 3 dead, 6 missing in Davao Occidental flash floods

Local authorities also tallied 21 casualties after the deadly flash floods in Southern Mindanao.

Abalos was appointed as Cabinet Secretary by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 8.

READ: Benhur Abalos appointed as Cabinet Secretary

Abalos will assist and serve as Marcos’s liaison on national government agencies, local government units, political organizations, parties, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups, as mandated by the President. —GENESON SATSATIN/INQUIRER.net TRAINEE

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HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.

Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.

The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.