Maasim: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Sunday that reported deaths undergoing validation from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani last June 8 have climbed to 61. The number of injured is at 1,403 and missing at 40 as of posting time.
According to Philippines News Agency, OCD public information officer Diego Mariano stated that the deaths being verified are seven for Region 11 (Davao) and 54 for Region 12 (Soccsksargen). Of the total injured persons, one was reported in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 46 reported in Region 11, and 1,356 in Region 12. Of the total number of missing persons, 22 were reported in Region 11 and 18 in Region 12.
Meanwhile, the tally of families affected by the earthquake has reached 173,000 families, or equivalent to 724,000 persons. As of posting time, 2,000 families or 10,000 individuals are inside 34 evacuation centers. Regarding damage, Mariano said a total of 725 infrastructure facilities were reported. The OCD estimated the damage to infrastructure at around PHP1 billion, with the number of damaged houses reaching 54,000, including 44,100 partially damaged and 9,900 described as totally damaged.
In other developments, the Philippine Army (PA) stated that its responders delivered aid and potable water to isolated quake-hit communities in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental. "Army responders, together with the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Coast Guard, successfully delivered essential food packs, clean water, and medical relief to isolated areas in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, and Glan, Sarangani Province," PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a statement Sunday. He added that Army troops, in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection, also deployed a mobile water filtration system to provide much-needed potable water to quake-affected families in Maasim, Sarangani. The PA's humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams are working closely with national government agencies and local government units to ensure the timely and coordinated HADR operations in earthquake-hit areas.
Additionally, the Philippine Navy (PN) reported that the head of its Joint Task Force Sinaya, Commodore Ireneo Battung, visited Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental on June 12 "to engage with and boost the morale of deployed personnel" supporting earthquake relief operations in the area. Deployed forces continued to assist in the distribution of relief supplies, transportation of essential goods, and the provision of other humanitarian services to residents affected by the earthquake. The visit also provided an opportunity to assess the situation on the ground and monitor the progress of HADR efforts. "He (Battung) commended the personnel for their sacrifice, dedication, resilience, and professionalism in carrying out humanitarian missions under challenging conditions," the PN said. Battung and his party then proceeded to Davao City and extended transportation assistance to 18 stranded residents.
