By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. of Glan, Sarangani, stated that they are actively searching for a new home for 20 displaced families following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that shook the province.

“We are not allowing those with significant damage to return,” Yap mentioned in an interview with ANC. “We are currently finding suitable relocation options where they can rebuild their homes,” the mayor added.

According to the mayor, the rebuilding process prioritizes the 2,000 residences in the town that suffered damage during the earthquake. Meanwhile, some affected families are temporarily staying with friends or relatives.

Yap has sought government assistance, highlighting that their disaster response budget is only P7 million, and the earthquake has severely damaged the municipal hall.

On Tuesday, Mindanao reported 11 fatalities from the earthquake. In Glan, there were four fatalities and 85 injuries, with two patients still in the hospital, as per the mayor.

(ai/mnm)

MANILA — In response to the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani, Davao Occidental, President Marcos Jr. has directed relevant government agencies to expedite assistance to the affected individuals, announced Malacañang on Friday.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil conveyed the President’s directive, stating, “The President has instructed every pertinent government agency to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted.”

The seismic event occurred at a depth of 72 kilometers, approximately 34 kilometers northwest of Sarangani Island, at 4:14 p.m., as reported in an updated advisory by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). While Phivolcs initially registered the quake at magnitude 7.2, subsequent adjustments were made.

President Marcos, currently in San Francisco, California for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, reassured the public through a post, mentioning the activation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) emergency preparedness and response protocols. He highlighted the close coordination between Civil Defense Regional Offices and local government units (LGUs) for real-time updates.

Addressing the nation, Marcos stated, “In these challenging times, my commitment to your safety and recovery is unwavering, and I have instructed every relevant government agency to fully contribute to ongoing efforts.”

Secretary Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development promptly directed field offices in Mindanao to be on high alert for assisting severely affected LGUs.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) elevated the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) alert status to “Blue,” facilitating close coordination and reporting of incidents. Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno affirmed, “Civil Defense officials at the national and regional level are closely monitoring the progress of the operations.”

As of the latest reports, the earthquake has resulted in a power outage in General Santos City and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, along with a damaged school and houses in Sarangani, Davao Occidental. Validation is ongoing for the reported fatality in Barangay Butuan, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

The NDRRMC issued an Emergency Alert and Warning Message (EAWM) to provinces in the affected region, advising communities in Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato to take precautionary measures.

(ai/mnm)