Responders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intensified efforts to reach isolated communities in Sarangani and Davao Occidental as the death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani reached 61 while damage to infrastructure amounted to P1 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday, June 14.

Of the total fatalities, 54 deaths were recorded in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and seven in Davao (Region 11). The NDRRMC also reported 1,403 injured persons and 40 missing individuals.

The NDRRMC also reported that infrastructure damage had reached P1 billion, with 725 damaged infrastructure facilities recorded.

Authorities also reported damage to about 54,000 houses. Of the total, nearly 9,900 were destroyed while 44,100 sustained partial damage.

A state of calamity remains in effect in 13 municipalities and cities affected by the disaster.

Government agencies have so far provided P67.6 million worth of assistance to affected families as relief and recovery operations continue across the quake-hit provinces.

Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said responders delivered food, water, and medical supplies to isolated villages affected by the earthquake and strong aftershocks.

"Army responders, together with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Coast Guard, successfully delivered essential food packs, clean water, and medical relief to isolated areas in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, and Glan, Sarangani Province," the Army said.

The quake has affected about 173,000 families or 724,000 persons. While only around 2,000 families remain inside 34 evacuation centers, many communities continue to face disrupted access to basic services.

The Army said it had deployed a mobile water filtration system in Maasim to address the need for safe drinking water.

“The Army, in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire Protection, has also deployed a mobile water filtration system to provide much-needed potable water to quake-affected families in Maasim, Sarangani,” Dema-ala said.

The military said search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations also remained underway.

“Search, rescue, and retrieval missions remain ongoing, with teams deployed to locate missing individuals, particularly in high-risk landslide zones,” Dema-ala added.

The challenge of reaching isolated villages has also prompted the use of air and sea assets as the PCG said its Aviation Command deployed Airbus light twin-engine helicopter CGH-1452 on June 12 to sustain humanitarian missions in Sarangani.

As part of the operation, the helicopter transported 60 boxes of Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs to Barangay Congan in Glan.

The aircraft also ferried six Department of Health (DOH) personnel to Barangay Alegado in Malapatan to support medical and public health operations in affected communities.

“The deployment forms part of the PCG's iCARE campaign and ongoing humanitarian operations in support of national government efforts to provide immediate relief and essential services to communities affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.

At sea, PCG personnel loaded donations and relief supplies aboard BRP Corregidor (AE-891) for transport to quake-hit areas in Mindanao.

In Davao Occidental, the PCG said the BFAR vessel MCS 3007 transported and unloaded tents in Barangay Nuing, Jose Abad Santos on June 13. The vessel also carried personnel from DSWD Field Office XI to support relief distribution efforts.

Meanwhile, BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403) delivered humanitarian supplies to coastal barangays in Jose Abad Santos. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel transported 560 DSWD food packs along with bed mats, blankets, clothing, tarpaulins, water containers and drinking water.

The PCG also continued assisting in the loading, unloading, and repacking of relief goods at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol in Alabel.