Quake aid reaches isolated towns in Sarangani, Davao Occidental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Military forces have deployed air assets to deliver critical relief supplies to isolated communities in Sarangani and Davao Occidental after landslides rendered major road networks impassable following the powerful June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

Maj. Ruben Gadut, chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, said that Philippine Air Force (PAF) Black Hawk helicopters conducted multiple sorties from June 11 to 15 to reach isolated barangays in Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental and Glan in Sarangani.

READ: Marcos back in quake zone to bring aid, oversee recovery

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Gadut noted that Joint Task Force (JTF) Agila, in coordination with the PAF, local government units, and humanitarian groups, reported the successful delivery of 4,925 food packs, 800 five-kilogram rice packs, 3,400 bottles of water, 400 boxes of relief goods, and bulk potable water supplies.

Supplies were staged and flown from Malita, the capital of Davao Occidental, and Rajah Buayan Air Base in General Santos City. The airlifts targeted hard-to-reach areas, including Barangays Molmol, Quiapo, San Isidro, and Sitio Makina in Barangay Kalbay, Jose Abad Santos, as well as Barangay E. Alegado in Glan.

READ: Cut off by quake: Sarangani’s remote towns plead for water, food

Disaster Response Teams from the 1002nd Infantry Brigade provided ground support by loading and distributing the goods, operating through difficult terrain and intermittent weather disturbances.

Major Gen. Alvin Luzon, JTF Agila commander, commended the collective efforts of the responders and emphasized the necessity of a unified crisis response.

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“Disasters test not only our capabilities but also our compassion as a people. While access to some communities remains challenging, our troops, together with our partners from government agencies, local government units, humanitarian organizations, and volunteers, remain committed to ensuring that assistance reaches every affected family,” Luzon said in a statement on Monday.

READ: In isolated Glan village, families survive on boiled bananas, coconuts

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“This operation reflects the strength of our collective response and our shared responsibility to help communities recover and rebuild,” he added.

JTF Agila assured the public that airlift and ground relief operations will continue to ensure no community is left behind during the region’s ongoing recovery./coa

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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.