Sarangani: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has confirmed that both the agency and its partner government entities have ample supplies and manpower to address the aftermath of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani and neighboring areas on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo stated on PTV-4's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon" that the current supply levels of the OCD and its partner agencies are sufficient and mechanisms are in place to quickly replenish them if necessary. The agency also has adequate personnel on standby to support ongoing relief operations.
In a separate interview, OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV reported that the earthquake has impacted 32,926 families, or 145,693 individuals, across 163 villages in Regions 9 (Zamboanga), 11 (Davao), 12 (Soccsksargen), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He noted that 8,725 families, approximately 32,000 people, are currently housed in 54 evacuation centers, while an additional 1,804 families are receiving assistance outside these centers.
Regions 11 and 12, particularly Sarangani Province and General Santos City, suffered the most significant damage. As of this morning, there have been 37 reported deaths, 488 injuries, and four missing persons, with all figures still undergoing validation. Alejandro emphasized that search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) efforts are ongoing, with 2,784 SRR personnel deployed in Regions 11 and 12, and another 1,475 personnel ready for deployment. These teams are composed of members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
The earthquake also damaged 2,505 houses, with 460 completely destroyed and 2,045 sustaining minor damage.
