BARMM, Peace Agency Launch Relief Drive in Quake-Hit GenSan, Sarangani

Disaster response operations are underway in General Santos City and Sarangani province following a powerful 7.8 Magnitude earthquake that struck Central Mindanao on June 8, 2026. The Bangsamoro government and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity jointly initiated humanitarian missions on Tuesday, June 9.

The earthquake caused significant damage, destroying stretches of concrete highways in Glan, Sarangani, and displacing thousands of residents. In General Santos City alone, 432 houses were destroyed, leaving 4,261 residents homeless, including children and the elderly. Authorities are still searching for villagers reported missing by relatives.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council 12, expressed appreciation for the initiative, highlighting the involvement of the Bangsamoro government's Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Team and its Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence Contingent. Army units are also providing assistance in the affected areas.

The Bangsamoro government delivered 5,000 food packs, containing rice, canned tuna, and coffee, to the Sarangani provincial capitol on Wednesday morning for distribution to affected villagers. Local executives, officials from the Office of Civil Defense 12, the Police Regional Office 12, and the Bureau of Fire Protection 12 are coordinating relief efforts.

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We in the inter-agency and multi-sector Regional Peace and Order Council 12 appreciate their initiative. We are also thankful to all Army units now in Santos City and in municipalities in Sarangani for such missions too.