DOE working to ensure uninterrupted power, fuel supply after magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday it is working to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and petroleum products in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

According to the DOE, energy facilities in Sarangani and nearby areas are currently being assessed through its Task Force on Energy Resiliency, in coordination with electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, and oil industry stakeholders.

“The DOE is currently consolidating reports on the condition of power lines, substations, distribution facilities, fuel depots, retail stations, and other energy infrastructure to determine whether any facilities have been affected,” it said in a statement.

“Continuous monitoring is also being conducted to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and petroleum products in affected communities,” it added.

For its part, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said it is still assessing extent of the damage in Southwestern Mindanao, with services in Sarangani, including General Santos City, still out.

“NGCP continues to restore affected transmission lines in Southwestern Mindanao,” it said in a separate advisory as of 11 a.m.

Transmission services in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat were fully restored at 8:33 a.m., South Cotabato partially restored at 10:22 a.m. Services in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental were restored at 8:20 a.m.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded the earthquake at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, June 8, initially with a magnitude 7 with a depth of 10 kilometers (km). This was upgraded to a magnitude 7.8 with a depth of 33 km.

Intensity VII was reported in General Santos City, with an instrumental intensity VIII recorded in Malapatan, Sarangani.

PHIVOLCS has also raised a tsunami warning, as coastal communities in affected areas may experience waves more than one meter above normal tide levels.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported at least three dead and four others injured in Soccsksargen, with damages to structures across the region, including facilities such as hospitals and schools. — RSJ, GMA News