Jose abad santos: The Municipal Council of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, declared a state of calamity on Tuesday following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that triggered landslides and killed seven residents. In an interview on Wednesday, Mayor Jason John Joyce said local authorities are conducting damage assessments, response, and relief operations in affected communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Joyce expressed deep sorrow over the confirmed casualties, which include seven fatalities, seven missing individuals, and 25 injured. The majority of the casualties resulted from landslides. Joyce also mentioned that families with damaged houses have already received relief goods in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11).

Joyce further explained the impact on infrastructure, noting that landslides have affected roads, making the national highway connecting various barangays impassable. Additionally, half of the barangays remain without power after utility posts were toppled.

DSWD-11 announced on Wednesday that it has begun delivering cash relief assistance to the families of the seven confirmed fatalities. The agency's personnel from the Davao Occidental Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) and Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) traveled to Jose Abad Santos to deliver PHP20,000 per bereaved family. This aid forms part of the government's immediate intervention efforts to alleviate the financial burden on affected families. The support includes psychosocial services, with DSWD-11 continuing to coordinate with local governments and other agencies to ensure efficient delivery of assistance.