UMVA has learned that a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported at least 48 deaths and 478 injuries, with five people still missing as search and rescue operations continue into their second day.
The Soccsksargen Region bore the brunt of the disaster, with 33 fatalities, while four deaths were recorded in the Davao Region, according to the NDRRMC's situational report.
Logistical disruptions persist across the affected provinces, with the General Santos City International Airport rendered nonoperational, and power outages still affecting several remote areas.
Preliminary assessments valued infrastructure damage at P15 million, with 127 items damaged across Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Soccskargen, leaving over 88,000 people affected and 20,690 displaced from their homes.
More than 840 aftershocks have been recorded since Monday, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 6.7, prompting authorities to suspend classes in 182 cities and municipalities and halt government work in 123 localities.
The NDRRMC noted that casualty and damage statistics are still subject to change as field validation continues, while Malacañang prioritizes medical assistance and restoration of connectivity in devastated areas to reach isolated victims.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. conducted a situation report briefing with Cabinet and local officials to coordinate an inter-agency disaster response, and plans to visit the affected regions in Mindanao to personally assess the situation.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has deployed aid to affected families, including 2,045 family food packs, 2,705 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, and 360 non-food items.
The Department of Energy reported that restoration efforts are ongoing for the power infrastructure affected by the earthquake, causing blackouts for 850,000 households in Mindanao, with a focus on prioritizing the restoration of electricity services to critical facilities.
Separately, the Philippine energy sector is preparing for a potential major earthquake, known as "The Big One," expected to hit Metro Manila and nearby areas, with tabletop exercises being conducted to strengthen emergency preparedness.
A 2004 study projected that a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 could damage approximately 40% of Metro Manila's residential buildings, potentially resulting in 34,000 deaths and 114,000 injuries.
