Search, rescue, clearing, and relief operations are continuing in areas hit by the strong earthquake in Mindanao, with nearly 3,700 responders already deployed and more personnel on standby, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Tuesday.
OCD deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said government response efforts remain focused on three priorities: search and rescue operations, assistance to families whose homes were damaged, and the sustained delivery of relief supplies to affected communities.
Alejandro said 3,693 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection have been deployed in Regions 11 and 12. Another 2,300 personnel are on standby for possible augmentation.
A total of 115 land, sea, and air assets have also been mobilized to support response operations, including helicopters, trucks, and a C-130 aircraft.
The OCD said the earthquake affected 32,926 families, or 145,693 individuals, in 163 barangays across Regions 9, 11, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Regions 11 and 12 remain the focus of operations, particularly General Santos City and Sarangani province, where significant damage was reported.
As of 9 am Tuesday, 37 fatalities, 488 injuries, and four missing persons were recorded. Alejandro said search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the missing individuals, who were reported in General Santos City.
A total of 8,725 families, or nearly 32,000 people, are staying in 54 evacuation centers, while 1,804 families remain outside evacuation sites.
Alejandro said around 2,505 houses were damaged, including 460 totally destroyed and 2,045 partially damaged homes. He said the government is preparing housing materials, repair kits, and temporary shelters, especially as aftershocks continue to discourage some residents from returning home.
In Sultan Kudarat, around 15,000 families are being monitored because they are still hesitant or unable to return to their homes due to continuing aftershocks and safety concerns.
Alejandro said building audits will be conducted to determine whether homes, schools, and other structures are safe for reoccupation.
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that 8,208 schools suspended classes as of Monday. Damage was recorded in 1,023 school facilities in Region 12 and 192 school facilities in Region 11.
Classes remain suspended across Regions 11 and 12, as well as in several areas in BARMM, while school buildings undergo safety assessments. Alejandro said it may take three to four days before DepEd completes its assessment, with classes likely to resume only after the Independence Day break if facilities are cleared as safe.
“We will not allow the schools to resume classes hanggang hindi po ma-audit itong mga buildings natin, yung mga school facilities natin,” Alejandro said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways also reported four national roads closed to traffic, one in Davao Occidental and three in South Cotabato. The agency has deployed personnel and equipment for clearing operations, with 821 equipment units available and 56 already active or deployed.
Initial damage to national highways was estimated at P232 million, although assessments are still ongoing.
Alejandro said no area has been reported as totally isolated, with alternate routes available despite road closures.
The General Santos International Airport remains non-operational for commercial flights due to runway issues and is currently limited to military flights. Alejandro said officials hope the airport can be repaired before June 12.
For now, Davao serves as the main base of operations for incoming assistance, with helicopters used to transport supplies and personnel to General Santos when needed. Relief goods and other emergency materials are also being moved by land.
The Department of Energy has deployed teams to help restore power in affected areas, while water filtration units are on standby or already on the way to Regions 11 and 12.
Alejandro said the national government still has enough resources for immediate response operations, including quick response funds and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
He said the government has received expressions of support from other countries but has so far relied on its own resources. Any acceptance of foreign assistance would depend on the approval of the President and the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council.
“For the immediate needs, I think the government has responded immediately,” Alejandro said.
He added that the more complicated stage may come during rehabilitation and early recovery, particularly for housing, relocation, and the rebuilding of damaged facilities.