UMVA has learned that a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake has left a trail of destruction in its wake, affecting over 724,000 people in the southern Philippines. The disaster struck off Maasim, Sarangani, last week, and the death toll has risen to 61.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that 54 people died in Soccsksargen and seven in the Davao Region. The agency also revealed that 40 people remained missing, while 1,403 were injured, with many more left to pick up the pieces.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the earthquake had a profound impact on the region, with 173,000 families affected. Approximately 10,000 people sought shelter in 34 evacuation centers, while thousands more were left to fend for themselves.
The disaster agency estimated that infrastructure damage had reached a staggering P1 billion, with 725 facilities damaged. Housing damage was also extensive, with about 54,000 homes affected, including 9,900 that were destroyed and 44,100 that sustained partial damage.
In response to the disaster, authorities declared a state of calamity in 13 cities and municipalities. The government has provided P67.6 million in assistance to affected families, a small but vital lifeline in the face of overwhelming need.
As the region struggles to recover, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported a series of minor tremors on Sunday afternoon. Five earthquakes were recorded between 1:49 p.m. and 2:02 p.m., with magnitudes ranging from 1.4 to 2.0, serving as a stark reminder of the region's ongoing vulnerability.
The aftershocks were centered near Kiamba, Glan, and Maasim in Sarangani, as well as Balut Island in Davao Occidental. As the people of the region face an uncertain future, UMVA's exclusive report provides a glimpse into the devastating impact of this disaster.
