Sarangani families sleep on roadsides as aftershocks hit Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Families in Sarangani province spent the night outdoors after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Mindanao early morning on Monday, with residents staying in open spaces amid damaged homes and continuing aftershocks.

In Nagpan, Malungon, Emily Sotto, 36, said her family moved out of their hilltop home after the quake triggered a landslide and left visible cracks on the slope where their house stood.

“We slept by the roadside because the children were afraid up there,” she said in Filipino.

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READ: Phivolcs logs over 2,000 aftershocks after Mindanao earthquake

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She said the quake dislodged their door, toppled a refrigerator, scattered household items, and cracked concrete walls inside their home.

Fearing further ground movement, Sotto and her family carried a mattress, pillows, blankets, and a crib for her in-laws’ baby down to the concrete road at the base of the hill, where they stayed overnight.

In other parts of the province, similar scenes were reported as structural damage forced residents outdoors.

In Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, residents spent the night on terraces, pavements, and open yards.

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“We slept outside and on terraces so we can quickly run if needed,” resident Cadariya Michael, 23, said in Bisaya.

She said many houses in their area sustained heavy damage and were no longer safe for occupancy.

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“Our houses here are severely damaged; it is not safe to sleep inside,” Michael said.

READ: PNP: Over 22,900 evacuated due to M7.8 Mindanao earthquake

In a video posted by the Sarangani Provincial Information Office (SPIO) on Tuesday, Gov. Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao said damage assessment is ongoing, particularly on roads and bridges that remain impassable in several areas.“Some main roads remain impassable as of this time. We are assessing what immediate assistance the provincial government can provide,” he said.

He added that authorities are evaluating the extent of damage across the province, including to national and provincial road networks and to collapsed bridges, while identifying the immediate support needed for affected communities.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday, at least 38 people have been killed, four remain missing, and 478 have been injured following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

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As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,209 aftershocks have been recorded, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.4, with many families still unable to return to their homes as aftershocks continue./coa

HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.

Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.

The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.