Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that she will travel to General Santos City on June 23, 2026, to personally deliver P35 million in emergency financial assistance to provinces in Mindanao that were damaged by a recent earthquake.
Earthquake Response Details
The magnitude 7.8 offshore Sarangani earthquake struck on June 8, 2026. In response, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) was deployed to inspect damaged roadways ahead of Baricuatro’s trip.
The mission allows the governor to hand over recently approved calamity funds, consolidating an initial P10 million released to General Santos City with P25 million approved by the Provincial Board for the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur.
Financial Allocation Breakdown
According to a SunStar report on June 16, 2026, the P25 million allocation will distribute P10 million to the Province of Sarangani, and P5 million each to South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur. This brings Cebu’s total financial intervention to P35 million.
Providing an operational update, Baricuatro confirmed that the advance team has successfully navigated fractured roadways to bring two wing van trucks into the disaster zone.
Relief Goods Distribution
The Capitol cargo vans successfully delivered 500 boxes of family food packs, along with sleeping kits and hygiene sets, to hard-hit evacuation centers where resources remain scarce due to damaged main supply lines.
Following the distribution of relief goods, the governor's delegation will coordinate the deployment of medical and social work teams to set up trauma-focused psychological first aid stations inside displacement camps.
This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure that Cebu's intervention addresses both immediate physical needs and the long-term emotional recovery of the affected families.
