13 quakehit areas under state of calamity; death toll rises to 55

The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani on June 8 has climbed to 55 while 13 cities and municipalities in Southern Mindanao have been placed under a state of calamity as authorities grapple with widespread destruction, disrupted transport links, and thousands of displaced families.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG and JEL SANTOS

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday, June 12, that 1,120 people were injured and 38 remained missing following the powerful quake, which affected 392,806 individuals or 86,135 families across 352 barangays in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Davao (Region 11), Soccsksargen (Region 12), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The state of calamity declarations now cover the entire province of Davao Occidental with five municipalities, namely the capital of Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Santa Maria, and Sarangani in Region 11; and the entire province of Sarangani (different from Sarangani town in Davao Occidental) with seven municipalities including the quake's epicenter in Maasim, capital town of Alabel, Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, Malapatan, and Malungon; as well as General Santos City in South Cotabato, all in Region 12.

Rescue and relief operations continued in areas where roads, bridges, ports, and other critical infrastructure sustained heavy damage. A total of 93 road sections and 28 bridges were affected in Regions 11 and 12 while 24 roads and seven bridges remain impassable.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) deputy administrator for administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said airports and ports remained among the major logistical concerns, complicating relief efforts particularly in Glan, Sarangani and parts of Davao Occidental.

“Our airport remains closed and non-operational to commercial flights up to now. However, military and humanitarian assistance flights can still land at General Santos City Airport,” Alejandro said.

“We have major ports that remain non-operational, such as the port of Glan. That is why we are using helicopters and sea vessels from the Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to deliver assistance,” he added.