Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government is gradually shifting its response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Mindanao from emergency rescue and relief operations toward rehabilitation and relocation, while search and recovery efforts continue in the hardest-hit areas.During a situation briefing in General Santos City after inspecting affected communities in Sarangani, the President said authorities are still gathering information as local governments continue damage assessments and rescuers search for missing persons.&quot;The LGU executives continue to provide us with information kasi hindi pa naman this is still a developing situation. For example we are still recovering mga missing, then of course we have to attend to the repair of the hospitals para maibalik natin iyong pasyente makapasok nila sa loob,” Marcos Jr. said.“And then of course, the DPWH, we have to do the assessment, the engineering assessment to see what is safe, what is not safe, what has to be done, and all of that,” he added.The president assured local officials that the national government would continue coordinating closely with local government units and provide additional resources as new needs arise.&quot;Tuloy-tuloy lang, basta we work together with the LGUs, you feel free to contact me, anybody that you need, or any of the secretaries, any of the heads of agencies, kung ano pa iyong nakita ninyo na pangangailangan, kung kaya namin ang dalhin, dadalhin naming,” Marcos said.<div>OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE</div>Marcos announced that the Office of the President has earmarked P278 million in financial assistance for local governments severely affected by the earthquake.Sarangani and General Santos City will each receive P50 million, while South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat will receive P30 million each. Davao Occidental and Glan will receive P20 million each, and Zamboanga will receive P50 million. Other affected local government units may also receive between P3 million and P10 million.He added that P50 million has already been released through the Local Government Support Fund for the repair of government buildings and hospitals, including facilities in Alabel and Glan.The president said restoring access to isolated communities remains one of the government&#x27;s top priorities, particularly through the rehabilitation of key infrastructure such as the Sapu Masla Bridge and major roads leading to Glan and other remote villages.<div>REPORTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES</div>According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, 17 bridges and 11 major roads have already been reopened, while engineering inspections continue on hospitals, schools, and other government facilities.Marcos said the government would use every available means to bring aid to areas cut off by damaged roads.&quot;At iyong mga isolated na lugar, pipilitin natin makapunta. Iyong mga ibang barangay na talagang walang madaanan, magpapalipad na lang muna tayo ng helicopter. Iyong iba, kung pwede, kung kaya sa dagat, gagawin din namin iyon,” he said.The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that 44 evacuation centers remain open, housing around 4,019 families, while additional preemptive evacuations are underway because of landslide incidents in Jose Abad Santos.The agency also reported it had distributed 125,000 family food packs within seven days and continues to maintain a stockpile of about 4.8 million family food packs.The president said families whose houses were totally destroyed would receive cash assistance, while emergency relief would continue even for evacuees staying with relatives or friends.The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development also reported that about 58,000 houses were damaged by the earthquake, including 11,000 that were totally destroyed. The agency plans to provide cash aid, shelter kits, construction materials, modular housing units, and loan moratoriums for affected borrowers.Health authorities, meanwhile, continue to address the humanitarian impact of the disaster. The Department of Health reported 74 deaths and about 1,600 injured individuals across affected regions, with most fatalities recorded in Soccsksargen and Davao.Field hospitals have been deployed to affected communities, including Balut Island and Glan, while medicines for chronic illnesses, hygiene kits, vitamins, and medical supplies have been distributed. Water filtration systems and chlorine tablets are also being provided to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases.&quot;Ang DOH has already provided to the DOH of Sarangani and General Santos, nakapag-provide na ng hygiene kit, ng gamot, vitamin, iba pang mga medical supply. We have been able to bring them in already. So, we&#x27;ll just continue to do that dito,’ Marcos said.&quot;Meron iyong water filtration system, gamot para sa mga nasiraan ng tiyan, dahil baka uminom ng tubig o may nakain na hindi malinis, ay magdadala rin sila,” he added.The quake also severely disrupted education, with government estimates showing that around 617 classrooms were totally damaged and would have to be demolished and rebuilt.The Department of Education has allocated nearly P22 million for school cleanup and repairs and plans to implement flexible and distance learning while inspections continue. Alternative learning spaces and printed learning packets will also be provided for students in affected communities.Despite the transition toward rehabilitation, the President urged residents not to ignore safety warnings, saying the continuing aftershocks remain a serious threat.&quot;We just have to be very careful kasi kagaya ng nararamdaman ninyo, meron patuloy pa rin ang mga aftershock at kailangan pa rin mag-ingat,” Marcos said.&quot;Kahit gustong-gusto na nilang pumasok doon sa mga lugar na hindi pa na-clear ng ating mga engineer, huwag muna [pumasok], mag-ingat na lang sila. Mas mabuti na lang na sigurado,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government is gradually shifting its response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Mindanao from emergency rescue and relief operations toward rehabilitation and relocation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government is gradually shifting its response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated parts of Mindanao from emergency rescue and relief operations toward rehabilitation and relocation.

Marcos shifts Mindanao quake response toward rehabilitation

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Marcos shifts Mindanao quake response toward rehabilitation

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 15, 2026 05:36 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

PBBM

Sarangani

Mindanao Earthquake

General Santos City

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