MANILA, Oct. 17 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday said the collective action of national agencies, local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) has sped up the response and early recovery efforts for the quake-hit Cebuanos.

In an interview with reporters, Gatchalian said the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a concerted whole-of-government approach by national agencies for those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake resulted in breakthroughs in the overall disaster operations, benefitting the affected families and individuals in northern Cebu.

"It's a whole-of-government approach. Alam natin na hindi kaya ng isang sangay ng pamahalaan at ...