LIVE UPDATES: Magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake

The General Santos City government announced on Tuesday, June 16, that around 30,252 homes were damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, while more than 120 buildings remained unsafe for the public.

Based on the city’s latest data, 15 government buildings, 25 schools, and 84 inspected establishments have been placed under the “red” category for occupancy tags. These buildings are off-limits to the public until repairs are completed and clearance is given.

Currently, government services are available to the public through outdoor satellite offices at the General Santos City Hall. 

Satellite data released by the Philippine Space Agency on Tuesday, June 16, show the impact of the Mindanao quake on structures, coastal areas, and nighttime activity.

DAMAGE. Maps show possibly damaged structures in General Santos City and the severity of their damage as of June 10. Photo courtesy of Philippine Space Agency

UPLIFT. Shoreline shifts due to coastal uplift were recorded in Barangays Burias and Pangyan, Sarangani, as shown in maps marking the difference in tide levels before and after the Mindanao earthquake. Photos courtesy of Philippine Space Agency

NIGHT LIGHTS. Nighttime light levels are recorded before, right after, and two to five days post-earthquake. The data can be used as a proxy to measure power loss, infrastructure damage, population displacement, and reconstruction and recovery. Photo courtesy of Philippine Space Agency

The Office of the President is releasing a total of P278 million from its Socio-Civic Projects Fund to help local government units (LGUs) with relief and recovery efforts.

The breakdown is as follows:

• Sarangani and General Santos City – P50 million each
• South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat – P30 million each
• Davao Occidental and Glan, Sarangani – P20 million each
• Zamboanga City – P15 million
• A dozen other LGUs (unspecified in Malacañang statement) – P3 million to P10 million each

Powerful earthquakes do not just cause tsunamis and landslides. They can also make the sea move back permanently and expose the seabed below.

This phenomenon is called coastal uplift. More about it here.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) on Thursday, June 11, reported significant progress in restoring power to areas affected by the Mindanao earthquake.

Of the 25 municipalities that experienced power interruptions, 24 have been energized again as of 3 pm Monday.

However, two electric cooperatives remains under monitoring: the Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (DASURECO) and South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO II).

Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) said it is closely monitoring its power facilities following the magnitude 7.8 quake that struck Sarangani on Monday, June 8.

As a precautionary measure, the Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) coal plant in Maasim shut down Units 1 and 2. Based on initial assessments, the coal handling system and jetty facilities suffered “significant damage,” rendering the facilities temporarily inoperable.

MGEN owns a 50% stake in SEC, while Mindanao-based power firm Alsons Thermal Energy Corporation wholly owns the plant.

MGEN thermal chief operating officer Arnel Santos emphasized that personnel safety and supporting operational resilience remain top priorities. The company is also currently coordinating with relevant stakeholders to restore the affected facilities and transmission connections, while implementing alternative arrangements to complete interrupted coal deliveries and maintain sufficient inventory on-site.