A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Mindanao on Monday, leaving residents of Glan, Sarangani scrambling for vital supplies like water and rice.
Struggles Amid Relief Efforts
We have started already distributing relief goods to the barangays,” said Mayor James Victor Yap Sr. of Glan, Sarangani.
James Victor Yap Sr., Mayor of Glan
Residents rushed to Barangay Tango as trucks from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) arrived with supplies. However, many cannot reach the distribution points due to damaged roads.
Evangeline Ugong, a local resident, shared her hardship: "We just want our mouths wet with water, that's enough for us."
Travel from General Santos City to Poblacion has resumed after overnight repairs, yet some residents still seek help along the road because they lack fuel for transportation.
Meanwhile, the principal of Leonard Young National High School, Margie Morales, is assessing damage to school facilities, as the structures have reportedly settled and tilted.
In Barangay Small Margus, over 200 houses collapsed, forcing many families to seek temporary shelter. Local captain Roldan Daquigan highlighted the urgent need for food, water, and access to homes.
With landslides disrupting farming and fishing activities, many residents have lost their livelihoods. Daquigan noted that fishermen are struggling due to a lack of fuel.
Mayor Yap announced that one lane of the highway is now passable, enabling the delivery of aid to isolated areas.
The Philippine Air Force has assisted in airlifting supplies to hard-hit areas, and volunteer trucks from the private sector have joined the relief effort.
As of now, the DSWD has released over 20,780 family food boxes and 1,546 non-food items to help those in need.
In Balut Island, some residents are still sleeping outdoors after losing their homes, while in General Santos City, recovery efforts continue for three workers trapped in a collapsed supermarket.