The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12) issued urgent warnings to residents following a coastal uplift in Glan, Sarangani triggered by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the province on June 8, 2026.

In an advisory released on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, DENR-12 warned the public to stay clear of shifted shorelines and avoid handling stranded marine life due to severe biological hazards following the tremor that caused coastal uplift.

This as experts continue to investigate and assess the coastal uplift.

According to DENR-12, coastal uplift is the vertical rise of the shoreline caused by tectonic shifts or strong earthquakes, permanently changing the coast and exposing submerged coral reefs and marine habitats.

In the advisory, residents near the newly extended shoreline must vacate the area and move to safe distances due to rapid biomass decay caused by the sudden two-meter vertical shift.

Residents are urged to stay away from the exposed zones to minimize exposure to severe public health and biological risks and avoid handling, clearing, or salvaging dead reef fishes, eels, clams, and shells stranded across the exposed benthic zones.

DENR-12 explained that leaving the marine biomass untouched is critical to prevent getting hurt and potential biological contamination.

Authorities emphasized that only the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are authorized to conduct biohazard mitigation and rapid sanitation strategies

Residents are advised to stay away from affected intertidal areas until official clearing operations begin.