Mindanao quake survivors plead for food, water aid

Following the magnitude 7.8 Mindanao quake last June 8, countless citizens from affected towns such as General Santos (GenSan) City and T’Boli, South Cotabato, especially from remote areas, struggle to attain basic needs as families camp and settle near roadsides.

Since the incident, multiple Facebook posts have been made calling for help while persevering in poor living conditions due to lack of help received and media coverage.

“Kids and [the] elderly become extremely affected,” Roschen Mae Siat, one of the uploaders, shared in her post.

According to her, more than a hundred families in Hicban Subdivision, Lagao, GenSan, have gone through four nights without electricity or clean water.

In another report, residents of Barangay Maan, T’Boli, have peaked at more than 100 affected households with a lack of assistance.

“For now, trapal (tarpaulin) lang ang ginagamit nila as a temporary house,” said a netizen who reached out.

According to them, their water and electricity supply has been secured; however, their homes remain damaged, and they are in need of food. 

Amid cracks and landslides, the main road going to Maan remains impassable.

In response to this, multiple agencies across the country have begun organizing relief goods deliveries to various barangays in affected areas.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) mobilized essential supply distributions to heavily impacted areas, including Barangay Lagao.

“In times of disaster, immediate action can make a real difference for families who have lost access to basic needs,” stated PCSO General Manager, Melquiades Robles.

Besides this, other organizations, such as the Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, have been organising donation drives that are yet to be mobilized.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) deputy administrator for administration, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, reported 47 confirmed deaths and 346,449 affected persons across different regions in Mindanao as of June 11, 2026.

add: recent update on number of people affected and deaths