The government is accelerating relief operations, structural inspections, and service restoration in Mindanao after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake affected nearly 150,000 people across several regions.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to visit quake-hit communities in due time, Malacañang said Tuesday, as agencies focus first on food aid, medical assistance, evacuation support, safety checks, and the restoration of power, roads, and communication lines.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos convened a situation briefing with Cabinet members and local officials overseeing response operations. Several officials flew to Sarangani and General Santos City on Monday, hours after the quake, to assess damage and determine urgent needs.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development showed that 32,926 families, or 145,693 persons, were affected in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen. Of the total, 8,725 families, or 31,701 persons, were staying in 54 evacuation centers, while 1,804 families, or 8,973 persons, were temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
The DSWD said more than P4.25 million worth of humanitarian assistance has been provided, including family food packs, ready-to-eat food boxes, non-food items, tents, mobile kitchens, and cash aid for hospital patients in Sarangani and General Santos City.
Among the areas needing urgent intervention are Glan, Maasim, and Malapatan in Sarangani, as well as Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, and Balut Island in Davao Occidental.
The agency said it still has P839.89 million in Quick Response Fund and P4.46 million worth of food and non-food items. With landslides blocking roads in some communities, it is coordinating with the Philippine Air Force for helicopter airlifts and with the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy for sea transport of additional relief goods.
During the Philippine Navy’s 128th anniversary in Manila, Marcos acknowledged the Navy’s disaster response role, particularly the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao for activating emergency mechanisms and placing rescue teams on heightened alert.
“Today, we gather to celebrate 128 years of the Philippine Navy at a time when many of our fellow Filipinos are facing the aftermath of the strong earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao yesterday,” Marcos said.
Castro assured affected communities that food assistance would continue to reach even remote and badly hit areas.
“Hindi po dapat mag-alala sa mga pagkain, sa mga food packs, para makarating sa ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng lindol,” she said.
Malacañang said the government is also prioritizing the safety of displaced residents and patients in quake-affected hospitals. Marcos ordered the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works and Highways to immediately assess hospital buildings and other damaged structures, while the Department of Education is coordinating with local governments to ensure student safety in affected schools.
The Department of Energy was directed to prioritize the restoration of power in hospitals. The DOE reported that electricity has been restored in many parts of Mindanao, while the DPWH is working to reopen impassable roads. The Bucana Bridge in Davao City remains safe and passable.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology said connectivity in affected areas remains stable. DITO Telecommunity reported 54 offline sites due mainly to cable cuts and power interruptions but maintained a 95.83-percent service availability rate, while Converge ICT Solutions reported no backbone or access network downtime.
Malacañang said agencies will continue coordinated operations to sustain relief delivery, medical assistance, transport support, infrastructure clearing, safety inspections, and service restoration in affected communities.