The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani, Mindanao, has climbed to 37, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported.
The authorities recorded 33 fatalities in the Soccsksargen region, 18 in Sarangani, 12 in General Santos City, and three in South Cotabato. Four additional deaths were reported in the Davao Region.
OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said most of the victims were killed by falling debris caused by the powerful tremor.
Authorities also reported 456 injured individuals, while four people remain missing.
The earthquake affected 17,689 families, or 77,186 individuals, across several areas in Mindanao.
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations remain concentrated in General Santos City and Sarangani, which were among the hardest-hit areas.
“Kung tutok doon sa nangyari kasi ang tinitingnan natin ngayon, General Santos City and then ‘yung Sarangani, so dito sa Region 12. So doon ang tutok ng ating mga search, rescue, and retrievals,” Castillo said.
General Santos City has already been placed under a state of calamity. Castillo added that emergency responders have also been deployed to other affected areas.
Initial assessments showed extensive damage to infrastructure, with nine bridges and 19 roads affected. The OCD estimated total infrastructure losses at more than P900 million based on initial inspections.
Authorities also recorded 1,889 damaged houses, including around 1,500 that were totally destroyed.
Despite the damage to roads and bridges, Castillo said no areas have been officially declared isolated. Relief supplies had been prepositioned in key locations, while generators and fuel were delivered to hospitals and other critical facilities affected by power outages.
The earthquake also damaged General Santos International Airport, resulting in flight cancellations and rerouting. However, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, upon the directive of the Department of Transportation, has allowed military, government, and humanitarian flights to operate at the airport.
Thousands of residents remain in open spaces amid continuing aftershocks and concerns over the structural integrity of their homes.
The government is considering the establishment of temporary shelters and tent cities to accommodate displaced residents while damage assessments and recovery efforts continue.
Meanwhile, classes in several areas remained suspended on Tuesday, June 9, due to the effects of the powerful earthquake.
