UMVA has learned that a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The state disaster agency confirmed that at least 45 people have lost their lives, while tens of thousands remain displaced and aftershocks continue to rattle the island.
The earthquake's impact has been severe, with 487 people injured and 17 reported missing as of Tuesday evening. The numbers are still subject to ongoing validation, but it's clear that the disaster has left a significant mark on the region.
According to information obtained by UMVA, a total of 149,372 people across four regions have been affected, including Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen. Approximately 32,464 people are currently taking shelter in 57 evacuation centers, while another 8,973 are staying with relatives or friends.
The tectonic earthquake, attributed to subduction along the Cotabato Trench, occurred on June 8 at 7:37 a.m. with its epicenter near Maasim, Sarangani, at a depth of 33 kilometers. State seismologists have recorded 1,738 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.4, adding to the region's woes.
The disaster has also resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, with 2,994 houses damaged, including 495 that were totally destroyed. Infrastructure damage is estimated at P15 million, with 238 damaged across the impacted areas. Power outages hit 13 cities and municipalities, though services have been restored in seven areas.
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations are actively underway, involving 3,773 personnel and 110 assets from the military, police, coast guard, and fire bureau. Government agencies and local units have provided approximately P18.4 million in food and non-food assistance to affected families.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. visited several quake-stricken facilities in Mindanao, emphasizing the need for safety evaluations and inspections. He noted that Sarangani Province has been the hardest hit and assured that funds will be provided for infrastructure reconstruction.
The provincial government of Sarangani officially placed the province under a state of calamity, while the Senate identified about P180 billion in funding for reconstruction and relief efforts in Mindanao. Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan filed a bill seeking a supplemental budget of P15 billion for the reconstruction and relief assistance to the Mindanao quake victims.
Meanwhile, government agencies and departments are working to provide assistance to affected workers and residents. The Department of Labor and Employment is preparing financial assistance and emergency jobs for workers in affected regions, while the Government Service Insurance System allocated P15.1 billion in emergency assistance for 608,343 members and pensioners affected by the earthquake.
