SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday urged government agencies and local officials to ensure not only the swift delivery of rescue and relief operations but also the provision of psychosocial support services for students affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.

Gatchalian expressed concern for the safety and mental well-being of children and young learners who experienced the strong tremor, citing reports that some students felt dizzy and frightened during the quake.

“Children are often the most vulnerable during disasters like this,” Gatchalian said. “Schools and LGUs must provide psychosocial support to help them cope with fear and trauma.”

The senator called on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, local disaster councils, and education officials to include psychosocial interventions—such as counseling sessions, stress debriefings, and community-based mental health programs—as part of the immediate response plan.

He emphasized that mental health support is a crucial component of post-disaster recovery, especially for students who may have witnessed distressing scenes or experienced panic and confusion during the quake.

“Physical safety inspections are important, but equally vital is ensuring that our children feel emotionally safe after such a frightening experience,” Gatchalian added.

The senator also urged school authorities to coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local psychosocial teams to deploy trained counselors to affected schools, ensuring that teachers and students receive appropriate mental health care in the coming days.

Gatchalian further called for a comprehensive safety audit of school buildings, hospitals, and other public facilities in the affected areas to prevent casualties in case of aftershocks.

“Let us pour our full support into Davao Oriental and neighboring provinces,” he said in Filipino. “Many of our fellow Filipinos in Cebu, La Union, and Baguio are still recovering from previous earthquakes. We must remain alert and united for everyone’s safety.”