By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Still in the process of recovering from a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rattled several provinces in Mindanao on June 8, 2026, government efforts to help in relief and recovery operations continue in various towns and cities to this day.
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to sustain these initiatives that will help in restoring livelihoods and normalcy into the daily lives of those affected by the tremor.
On behalf of the President, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos visited Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental over the weekend to assess the situation, following an initial visit in July with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
Secretary Abalos addressed the residents, “Nandito po kami ngayon, ang ating Pangulo ay mahal na mahal kaya—sabi nya [sa akin] ayusin mo ang iba’t ibang departamento para maipakita natin ang pagmamahal ng gobyerno.”
He was accompanied by 14 government agencies in his latest visit, with each one delivering various forms of assistance in support of the community’s long-term recovery:
- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) – 100 modular shelter units
- National Housing Authority (NHA) – cash assistance to families whose homes were totally damaged
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – TUPAD cash-for-work opportunities to residents
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – livelihood training for farmers and fisherfolk
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – assistance in packaging and marketing of products developed through the training
- Department of Agriculture (D.A.) – animals, seeds and seedlings to help affected farmers
- Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – food and non-food assistance to 1,200 coconut farmers
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – additional cash assistance to earthquake-affected families, complementing ECT and UPLIFT programs
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – timber that could be used to rebuild homes
- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) – assessment of possible relocation sites
- Department of Education (DepEd) – Learning Continuity Spaces to serve as temporary classrooms
- Department of Health (DOH) – medical and sanitation support in tent cities
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – clearing rivers and roads
- Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) – Starlink connectivity to selected affected communities
Abalos, meanwhile, said the government will also assess the long-term recovery needs of other affected areas, including Glan and Malapatan.
He concluded, “This will now be for sustainability for job, for work. Of course, for housing, for agriculture. Kung ano mang opportunities, kung ano mang mayroon na programa ang gobyerno, ibababa po natin ’yan.”
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