Davao quakes death toll increases to 8

National

THE death toll from the powerful magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Manay, Davao Oriental last week has risen to eight, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In a statement released Tuesday, the NDRRMC said 403 individuals were reported injured, while no one remains missing as of the latest update.

The twin quakes displaced more than 200,000 families across Davao and Caraga regions, forcing 3,176 families to take temporary refuge in eight evacuation centers.

Damage to public infrastructure has now exceeded ₱100.2 million, with most of the destruction recorded in Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.

“We are coordinating closely with concerned local government units to ensure that immediate relief, shelter, and recovery assistance are delivered to affected residents,” the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, the number of casualties from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu earlier this month remains at 75, with 559 others injured.

The tremor displaced over 212,000 families and damaged nearly 100,500 houses across Central Visayas, making it one of the most devastating quakes to hit the region in recent years.

Government agencies have assured the public that aid operations in both Davao and Cebu are ongoing.

“Our response teams are continuously monitoring the situation to ensure that all affected families receive the necessary support,” the Office of Civil Defense said in a separate advisory.

To address the urgent housing needs in northern Cebu, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has begun installing modular shelters in San Remigio’s “bayanihan village,” with assistance from private partners. (Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)