Relief operations continue in Davao Occidental as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assures that the province will not be neglected in receiving assistance following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
DSWD Secretary Visits Davao Occidental
During his visit to the province on June 13, 2026, Secretary Rex Gatchalian stated that they are expediting financial assistance to affected communities. He emphasized that not all family needs can be met through relief boxes, and the President wants cash payouts to be provided as soon as possible.
Gatchalian mentioned that in his meeting with local officials and DSWD-Davao, they requested a list of affected families to initiate emergency cash transfers by June 20. The amount of cash assistance will depend on the damage sustained by communities, and the payments will be made in multiple waves to ensure financial stability.
The secretary added that other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Health (DOH), will also provide assistance. The goal is to rehabilitate homes before the Southwest Monsoon brings heavy rains.
Coordination and Prepositioned Relief Goods
Since the earthquake, DSWD has closely coordinated with governors of affected areas and prepositioned relief goods to ensure food packs are available regardless of the calamity. Through the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the department continues to send more aid, especially to isolated barangays with inaccessible roads.
Gatchalian assured that the department has sufficient funds and that the government's Quick Response Fund (QRF) remains available, with President Marcos open to utilizing it for further assistance.
Governor Expresses Gratitude
Davao Occidental Governor Franklin P. Bautista expressed gratitude to local government units, national agencies, private groups, and international organizations for their support. He thanked governors Dayanghirang and Jubahib, as well as national agencies like DSWD, DOLE, the military, police, and coast guard.
Bautista said his office is coordinating with national and local agencies to help hard-hit areas, particularly Sarangani, Jose Abad Santos, and the Balut Islands, where damaged roads hinder access. Aid is being delivered by sea or airlifted to reach remote barangays. He assured constituents that they are constantly monitoring the situation and ready to assist.
The governor noted that the province has not yet released its Quick Response Fund, as assistance from various groups has been significant. The budget will be released if additional aid is needed. The province plans to declare a State of Calamity and has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for infrastructure repairs.
Assistance Provided
As of June 13, 2026, DSWD reported 31,206 affected families (101,418 individuals), with 646 families internally displaced. Damaged houses totaled 6,922, of which 2,644 were totally damaged and 4,278 partially damaged.
Jose Abad Santos recorded the highest number of affected residents: 22,576 families (71,501 individuals), with 4,239 damaged houses (1,682 totally destroyed, 2,557 partially damaged). The municipality received P8.69 million in assistance.
In Malita, 3,362 families (11,332 individuals) were affected, receiving P1.26 million in assistance. Sta. Maria had 1,555 affected families (5,241 individuals) and received P1.22 million. Don Marcelino reported 1,015 affected families (3,565 individuals) with 352 damaged houses (3 totally destroyed, 349 partially damaged), receiving P1.04 million.
Sarangani had 2,698 affected families (9,779 individuals), with 646 families (2,308 persons) displaced. The municipality recorded 927 damaged houses (814 totally destroyed, 113 partially damaged) and received the highest assistance at P13.71 million.
DSWD also provided modular tents, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, and family kits to affected families.
