DAVAO CITY (June 12) — Cut off by landslides and damaged roads following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, the municipality of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental is relying heavily on support from national government agencies as relief and recovery efforts continue.
The town, particularly its southern communities bordering Glan, Sarangani Province, remains among the hardest-hit areas, with 16 barangays reported isolated in the aftermath of the powerful quake.
To address urgent needs, local officials have been working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division.
During a coordination meeting on June 9, Mayor Jason Joyce presented the extent of the damage, including destroyed infrastructure, casualties, missing persons, and the urgent requirements of affected communities, particularly in South Jose Abad Santos.
“The local government remains committed to ensuring a coordinated, timely, and effective response as recovery efforts continue,” Joyce said.
One of the town’s most pressing concerns is a massive landslide in Barangay San Isidro that blocked a creek and created a temporary lake, raising fears of flooding should the natural barrier suddenly collapse.
Joyce said he directly sought assistance from DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to address the threat and restore access to isolated communities.
“We asked for immediate help because the creek in San Isidro has turned into a lake due to the landslide. It would be very dangerous if the water reaches nearby communities or suddenly rushes downstream,” the mayor said.
Responding to the request, Dizon said equipment and personnel had already been mobilized to Jose Abad Santos and other affected areas.
“We need to immediately repair what was damaged in Jose Abad Santos and Matanao,” Dizon said during an inspection in Davao City. He added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had directed agencies to ensure that no affected barangay would be left behind in relief and response efforts.
While road clearing operations continue, the DSWD has resorted to using motorized boats to transport food packs and other relief supplies to isolated villages inaccessible by land.
According to the municipal government, approximately 22,576 households are expected to receive assistance.
Despite damaged roads, disrupted communications, and continuing aftershocks, local and national authorities are pushing to reach every affected community as Jose Abad Santos begins the long process of recovery from one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Mindanao in recent years.
