In response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Davao Oriental last October, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has intensified its rehabilitation efforts across the hardest-hit areas of the province.
Secretary Dizon's Inspection Tour
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally visited the most severely affected communities to assess the ongoing repair work on critical public facilities. During his inspection on November 13, 2025, Secretary Dizon directed DPWH personnel to implement continuous 24-hour operations to ensure the swift restoration of essential infrastructure while maintaining construction quality standards.
"We need to speed up our rebuilding efforts because our fellow citizens are suffering," Dizon emphasized during his assessment. "We must especially fast-track the repair of our critical facilities."
Critical Infrastructure Assessment
Accompanied by Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang and other local officials, Secretary Dizon inspected ongoing repair works at multiple key locations. The inspection included the Evaristo Moralizon National Vocational High School and the municipal hall in Manay, where teams are working to restore full functionality.
The Secretary also traveled to Cateel to personally evaluate the condition of the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital and monitor its ongoing rehabilitation. The hospital represents one of the most critical facilities requiring immediate restoration to provide essential healthcare services to affected communities.
Extensive Damage and Impact
The series of powerful earthquakes that hit Davao Oriental on October 10 caused widespread destruction to public infrastructure. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), total infrastructure damage in the Davao Region has exceeded ₱310 million, affecting 772 facilities across Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and Davao del Sur.
The disaster also resulted in significant housing damage, with 31,333 houses reported damaged across three provinces. Of these, 29,721 sustained partial damage while 1,612 were completely destroyed. The magnitude-7.4 and 7.5 doublet earthquakes affected approximately 280,184 families or 1,218,293 individuals throughout the region.
Tragically, the seismic events claimed 10 lives and caused 83 injuries. Current relief efforts are supporting 174 families (692 persons) inside five evacuation centers, while an additional 247 families (873 persons) are receiving assistance outside formal evacuation facilities.
Secretary Dizon reiterated the government's commitment to rapid reconstruction, stating that restoring these infrastructures is essential to resuming public services that have been disrupted or limited due to structural damage from the earthquakes.
