UMVA has learned that the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday has claimed at least 45 lives, with the state's disaster agency reporting a grim and growing toll.
The earthquake's impact is far-reaching, with 487 people injured and 17 still missing, according to the latest situational report. The numbers are expected to change as validation efforts continue.
The disaster has left 149,372 people across four regions reeling, including those in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen. Many are struggling to find shelter, with 32,464 people currently taking refuge in 57 evacuation centers.
Others have been forced to stay with relatives or friends, with 8,973 people displaced. The earthquake's epicenter was near Maasim, Sarangani, at a depth of 33 kilometers, and state seismologists have recorded 1,738 aftershocks since the quake struck.
The aftershocks have ranged in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.4, and authorities are working tirelessly to assess the damage. Classes have been suspended in 210 cities and municipalities, with engineers deployed to evaluate the safety of school structures.
The earthquake has left a trail of destruction, with 2,994 houses damaged and 495 totally destroyed. Infrastructure damage is estimated at P15 million, with 238 damaged across the impacted areas. Power outages have affected 13 cities and municipalities, although restoration efforts have been completed in seven areas.
The quake has also triggered landslides, with 10 reported in Davao Occidental and Sarangani. Search, rescue, and retrieval operations are ongoing, involving 3,773 personnel and 110 assets from various agencies.
Government agencies and local units have provided approximately P18.4 million in food and non-food assistance to affected families. Work stoppages remain in 124 affected localities as safety inspections proceed, and authorities continue to work to restore order and stability to the region.
