Government relief operations are in full swing across Mindanao as residents recover from a series of strong earthquakes that struck the island in recent days, including the latest magnitude 6.0 tremor that hit Surigao del Sur late Saturday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake, initially recorded at magnitude 6.2, occurred 28 kilometers northeast of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur. It was tectonic in origin and was strongly felt in parts of Davao and Surigao provinces.
Authorities are still assessing structural damage in affected areas, including Tago, Surigao del Sur, where access to the Tago-Lapaz Bridge remains limited.
In an advisory on Sunday, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the bridge is passable but restricted to one-at-a-time passage with no stopping zones. Heavy six-wheeler trucks are allowed only if unloaded, while 10-wheeler trucks must take alternate routes or wait for clearance.
As assessments continue, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured uninterrupted relief assistance for affected families.
According to DSWD-Caraga (DSWD-13), over 70,000 families, or 253,938 individuals from 199 barangays in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, were affected by the tremors.
“As of 4 a.m. on Oct. 12, all 2,933 families (11,317 individuals) who sought refuge in 58 evacuation centers have returned home, while nearly 7,000 families continue to stay with relatives and friends,” the agency said in its latest update.
Eight houses were reported completely destroyed, while 696 others sustained partial damage.
Humanitarian assistance provided to affected residents has reached PHP400,129.68, including support from partner organizations.
The DSWD said it also has PHP168.7 million worth of relief resources on standby—comprising PHP2.7 million in funds and PHP166 million worth of food and non-food items.
