Sarangani Philippines Begins Long-Term Recovery After 7.8‑Magnitude Quake

Weeks after a magnitude‑7.8 offshore earthquake devastated Sarangani Province, regional officials are shifting from emergency response to an extensive rebuilding effort. At the Soccsksargen Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s second‑quarter meeting on June 30, the council approved Sarangani’s Early Recovery Plan, endorsed it to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and sought rehabilitation funds in the 2027 General Appropriations Act. The plan calls for cash‑for‑work programmes, support for businesses, reconstruction of schools and public facilities, continued health and social services, and upgrades to earthquake, rainfall and tsunami monitoring stations.

In parallel, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported a magnitude‑5.3 aftershock off Balut Island, Davao Occidental, at 10:21 a.m. on Saturday. The quake’s epicentre was 38 km southwest of Balut Island at a depth of 10 km, producing low‑intensity shaking (III in Malapatan, II in Kiamba and Malungon) but causing no damage or further aftershocks. The government is also proposing to re‑prioritise portions of the 2026 national budget to finance urgent rehabilitation projects while awaiting the 2027 budget approval.