DPWH surveys damage, to repair infrastructure after deadly Mindanao quake

MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to assess and repair damaged infrastructures in areas in Mindanao that are badly affected by a deadly earthquake, its secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday.

According to Dizon, he had assessed the condition of the buildings in General Santos City and Sarangani on Monday. He said that upon his inspection, five hospitals in these areas did not sustain much damage.

“It is important now to fix damaged bridges and roads for our fellow citizens to use them. We are prioritizing roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools will follow today as well,” Dizon, speaking Filipino, said in an interview with dzBB.

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READ: LIVE UPDATES: Mindanao earthquake | June 8, 2026

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Dizon shared that the agency already mobilized equipment and personnel for the rehabilitation works. He noted that based on initial estimates, the damage caused by the earthquake was at around P1 billion.

In a separate video message upon his inspection of Bucana Bridge in Davao City, Dizon said that the bridge only sustained minor damage such as broken guard rails and cement.

Meanwhile, the DPWH said that Dizon already ordered the technical assessment of the collapsed General Santos City-T’boli Surallah Road for the construction of a detour road near the damaged part of the road.

The DPWH noted that the General Santos City-T’boli Surallah Road is one of the critical roads that connect General Santos City to Surallah in South Cotabato.

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Dizon also said that the repair works for schools affected by the earthquake will begin on Tuesday, especially in South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City (Soccsksargen) and Davao region.

READ: BARMM sends team to Soccsksargen to aid Mindanao quake victims

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“We need to immediately repair works for schools because our students will need them as the school year has already started. We will coordinate with Secretary Sonny Angara to fast track rehabilitation of schools,” he added.

Dizon also appealed to concerned citizens who are planning to donate to affected communities to only extend their help to verified channels of non-government organizations.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Maasim in Sarangani at 7:37 a.m., with tsunami warnings issued in the Philippines but were later on lifted.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the earthquake has killed 37 individuals and injured 479 as of Tuesday.

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Based on the NDRRMC’s figures, 33 deaths, 456 injuries, and four missing persons were recorded in the Soccsksargen, while four deaths and 23 injuries were reported in Davao region.  /jpv