The death toll from the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the southern coast of Mindanao on Monday has climbed to 47, disaster officials confirmed on Thursday.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro reported during a DZRH interview that two newly confirmed fatalities in Glan, Sarangani, contributed to the updated count. Additionally, 31 individuals remain missing while 688 others sustained injuries.
Authorities noted that the majority of those unaccounted for are feared trapped under landslides and falling debris in Glan and General Santos City.
The tectonic quake, which struck at a depth of 33 kilometers with an epicenter located 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim, Sarangani, has caused widespread devastation across Regions 9, 11, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
According to the OCD, the disaster has impacted roughly 75,324 families across 291 barangays. More than 3,500 families are currently taking refuge inside 32 evacuation centers, while over 7,200 families are staying in temporary shelters elsewhere.
Government validation of these numbers is ongoing through a mass casualty cluster led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Sarangani province and General Santos City have emerged as the hardest-hit areas, enduring severe casualties and structural destruction.
”General Santosa City as a major city talagang matindi ang tama doon sa Sranggani naman na province ang pinakamatinding tinamaan sa lugar ay ang munisipyo ng Glan at Malapatan in terms of casualty,” Alejandro said.
Initial assessments indicate that 12,641 houses were damaged, with 2,289 completely ruined. Multiple commercial centers and buildings also suffered partial or total collapses. Preliminary infrastructure losses in Regions 11 and 12 are valued at ₱666.5 million, a figure projected to climb as local government units (LGUs) submit further data.
“We are expecting these numbers to increase kasi pumapasok na po ‘yung mga damage assessment report galing sa LGU at yung ating national government agencies,” Alejandro added.
Relief and restoration operations face significant hurdles. Ongoing power outages and communication disruptions continue to hamper data collection in remote communities. The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently working to restore 90 percent of power services by the weekend, with electricity grid recovery already progressing in General Santos City.
As of Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has logged 2,889 aftershocks since Monday’s main shock. Alejandro urged citizens to stay alert, particularly those near structures that have not yet been cleared by safety inspectors.
Meanwhile, emergency aid, including tents and shelter assistance, is being distributed to displaced families despite lingering logistical challenges.