DAVAO CITY – The provincial government of Sarangani has declared a state of calamity following the devastating earthquake that affected almost the entire province and killed 18 people, injured dozens, and resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure.

Gov. Rogelio Pacquiao said the province has been placed under a state of calamity upon the recommendation of the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to hasten the utilization of emergency resources and delivery of essential relief assistance to earthquake-hit communities.

Pacquiao added that the declaration also enables the provincial government to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts. “Sa ilalim ng state of calamity, mas mapapalawak at mapapabilis natin ang pagpapatupad ng mga interbensyon sa mga apektadong lugar," he said.

The declaration came two days after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake jolted the province and many parts of Mindanao on June 8.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. with an epicenter 32 kilometers south of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani.

The earthquake spoiled the opening of classes not just in seven towns of the province but also in many parts of Mindanao.

Vice Gov. Danny Martinez said that the declaration of the state of calamity ensures the immediate mobilization of the Quick Response Fund to fast-track the needed help and recovery operations.

Martinez assured that the legislative body will work closely with the governor, the PDRRMC, and national agencies to guarantee that the welfare, safety, and basic needs of the people are fully accommodated and implemented across all seven municipalities.

According to a report from the Sarangani Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the tremor left a trail of destruction mostly in the towns close to the epicenter.

These are the towns of Alabel, Glan, and Malapatan, where many of the reported deaths, injuries, missing, and damage to infrastructure have been recorded.

In the town of Glan, the PDRRMO reported that 496 houses were totally damaged and 866 were partially damaged as of 9 p.m. on June 9.

Office of Civil Defense Region-12 chief Rodrigo Sosmeña said that Glan is the most affected town in Sarangani due to the number of fatalities and damage to infrastructure.

On Tuesday, an eight-member team of the Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) Team from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Search and Rescue Force Region 12 was deployed in Glan to look for trapped individuals.

As of posting time, Glan is only accessible by air or by sea, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) staff Angel Faith Dugaduga said.

Dugaduga said relief aid is transported to the municipality using motorized pump boats from Malapatan to Barangay Tango in Glan and hauled using trucks to the town trooper. She said they could say when the destroyed roads would be repaired or accessible.

The local government of Malapatan reported that 10 people have died in the municipality, two are still missing, and 64 sustained minor injuries. Over 600 houses were damaged and 1,900 were partially damaged, according to the Malapatan Information Office.

Pacquiao thanked neighboring South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao del Sur for sending relief assistance to the province.

“Ang inyong agarang tulong ay hindi lamang ayuda, kundi isang dakilang simbolo ng nagkakaisang Mindanao sa oras ng kalamidad,” the governor said.