Mindanao quake. Photo courtesy of Jurel Bayang/PNA.
The number of people hit by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Maasim, Sarangani has climbed past 430,000, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported.
In its latest disaster monitoring report released at 6 a.m. Thursday, the DSWD logged 96,090 affected families, or 430,379 individuals, across 350 barangays in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro region.
Thousands remained displaced days after the powerful June 8 quake wrecked homes and forced families to flee to safer ground.
The DSWD said 2,195 families, or 9,365 people, were still staying in 25 evacuation centers.
Another 11,179 families, or 43,909 individuals, sought temporary shelter with relatives or friends outside evacuation sites.
Damage to homes also mounted, with 29,509 houses affected, including 5,129 destroyed and 24,380 partially damaged.
The agency said it had already released more than Php 55.16 million in humanitarian aid to quake-hit communities.
The DSWD also reported more than Php 5.17 billion in standby resources nationwide, including food packs, non-food items, and quick response funds, as Sarangani and nearby areas in Soccsksargen remained among the hardest hit.
