Close to 10,000 families remained displaced in three Mindanao regions days after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Sarangani on June 8, leaving tens of thousands unable to return home as relief operations and damage assessments continued.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information, and Communication division showed that 9,589 families, or 39,293 persons, were still displaced in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen as of 6 a.m. Thursday.
Of the displaced population, 2,109 families, or 9,028 persons, were staying in 25 evacuation centers, while 7,480 families, or 30,265 individuals, were temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
The DSWD said the earthquake affected a total of 84,943 families, or 388,557 persons, across 349 barangays in Regions IX, XI, XII, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
At least 18,614 houses were damaged, including 3,330 totally damaged and 15,284 partially damaged homes in Regions IX, XI, and XII.
The government has so far provided P28.541 million worth of assistance to affected families, including aid from the DSWD and local government units.
Relief operations, monitoring, and damage assessment efforts are continuing as authorities work to address the needs of displaced residents and determine when affected families can safely return to their communities.