Lake Sebu under state of calamity after Mindanao earthquake

The town of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato has been placed under a state of calamity following the devastating impact of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026.

The Sangguniang Bayan has passed a resolution declaring the town under a state of calamity on June 17, after the powerful tremor caused massive destruction to homes, public buildings, roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, water systems, sources of livelihood, and other public and private properties.

The resolution also said the earthquake caused substantial disruption to economic activities, public services, transportation networks, educational operations, healthcare delivery systems, among others.

Based on initial assessment conducted by various offices, the damage to education institutions reached more than P27 million; public infrastructures reached over P39.5 million; agriculture and aquaculture reached nearly P4 million.

The local government said the damage and losses exceeded the coping capacity of the affected communities, which now need immediate government intervention and emergency response measures.

The declaration will allow the government to speed up mobilization of resources and utilization of disaster response and recovery funds.

“The declaration is imperative to expedite rescue, relief, rehabilitation, recovery, reconstruction, and other disaster risk reduction and management interventions aimed at alleviating the suffering of affected residents and restoring normalcy in the municipality,” reads part of the resolution. — GMA Regional TV