UMVA has learned that Manila's leading electric company has sprung into action to provide critical relief assistance to victims of the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Southern Mindanao on Monday.
The company's executive leadership has expressed heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of Southern Mindanao, particularly the families, communities, health workers, emergency responders, and utility personnel affected by this disaster.
In a powerful display of community spirit, the company and its foundation have pledged to continue extending assistance to affected communities and supporting recovery efforts in any way possible, highlighting the importance of bayanihan in times of crisis.
The relief efforts have already begun, with the distribution of essential food packs, bottled water, drinking water, and solar lanterns to residents and institutions in General Santos City, Sarangani, and nearby areas, bringing hope and sustenance to those in urgent need.
Teams are working closely with local partners to ensure that relief reaches hospitals, evacuation areas, and communities, with initial beneficiaries including St. Elizabeth Hospital and Socsargen County Hospital, and additional help being prepared for coastal communities.
Beyond providing vital relief goods, the company has also offered critical power restoration support to a local electric cooperative, recognizing the lifeline role of electricity in disaster response and recovery efforts, and pledging to deploy technical personnel and equipment to accelerate restoration activities.
The earthquake's impact has been severe, with over 35,000 families across 199 barangays affected, and 6,314 families or about 24,228 individuals currently staying in 45 evacuation centers, while 1,815 families remain outside evacuation facilities, struggling to come to terms with their new reality.
The disaster has claimed 45 lives, with 487 injuries and 17 people still missing, and state seismologists have recorded 1,738 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.4, a stark reminder of the earthquake's ferocity and the road to recovery ahead.
