DSWD delivers 20,000 family food packs to Sarangani

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has delivered 20,000 family food packs to Glan, Sarangani following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao early this week, Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Friday.

Meanwhile, he said that around 2,000 family food packs were prepositioned in the area prior to the earthquake.

“Ang estimate namin, another 40,000 ang mapapadala namin sa mga darating na araw para masigurado natin na alinsunod sa utos ng ating pangulo, lahat ng naging biktima ay mabigyan ng tulong na pagkain,” he said.

(Our estimate is that we will be able to send another 40,000 in the coming days to ensure that, in accordance with the President’s directive, all of the victims victims will be provided with food assistance.)

Gatchalian said ongoing operations are taking place in Malita, Jose Abad Santos, and the Sarangani Municipality on Balut Island.

“Lahat ‘yun ongoing din tayo. Sa ngalan ng departamento, sisiguraduhin namin na lahat ng nangangailangan ng pagkain, lahat makakatanggap,” he said.

(All of that is ongoing as well. On behalf of the department, we will ensure that everyone who needs food will receive assistance.)

A drone shot shows a landslide following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, in Barangay Kapatan, Glan, Sarangani, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/ Adrian Portugal

The secretary stressed that they are also seeking to distribute around 200,000 family food packs in General Santos City

According to Gatchalian, they are also preparing an emergency cash transfer for victims.

Earlier this week, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Sarangani. The reported death toll has reached 55, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗢 𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗬𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗔 𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aminadong naging mabagal ang unang bugso ng pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng malakas na lindol sa Mindanao dahil mismong mga tauhan ay biktima ng… pic.twitter.com/gWq1pBwGnH

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2026

Gatchalian, meanwhile, admitted that the initial response was slightly slower than usual as even the respondents were affected by the incident.

“Admittedly, medyo mas mabagal tayo ngayon. Pero bumibilis na rin. Kasi, una nga, biktima din ‘yung mga tao ng local government unit,” he said.

(Admittedly, we are somewhat slower right now. But things are also speeding up. Because, first of all, the people in the local government unit are also victims.)

“‘Yung inaasahan natin na mag distribute eh sila din ang pinsala. So ngayon bumabalik na sila sa trabaho,” he added.

(Those that were expected to do the distribution were also affected by the disaster. So now they are gradually returning to work.) — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News