DAVAO CITY – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) is crafting the early recovery plan for earthquake-hit areas in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen area.

RDRRMC-12 Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense-12 (OCD-12) Regional Director Rodrigo Sosmeña said the agency is working with partner agencies and local government units to come up with rehabilitation and recovery plans two weeks since the magnitude-7.8 earthquake devastated several towns, mostly in Sarangani.

Sosmeña recently gathered concerned agencies and local officials to discuss the transition from response phase to early recovery efforts while relief operations continue in General Santos City, Sarangani, and some parts of South Cotabato.

The OCD-12 said the provincial government of Sarangani is now prioritizing the repair of damaged roads and bridges to hasten the delivery of relief aid and essential services to affected communities.

Dozens of barangays in Sarangani, particularly in Glan and Malapatan, were isolated for several days after many roads and bridges were damaged by the earthquake.

Some roads leading to hinterland areas were not accessible for a few days due to landslides, hampering the delivery of emergency food aid, prompting concerned agencies to ferry relief aid using helicopters and ships.

“All of us, local and national government agencies, should have a firm ground to base our medium-term and long-term plans. So, I’m requesting all members of the council to provide us with reliable and near accurate information in a timely fashion,” Sosmeña said.

Department of Social Welfare and Development-12 chief Loreto Cabaya Jr. said they will release additional cash assistance to affected communities next week in Sarangani and General Santos City.

“Each identified beneficiary, which was submitted by the local government unit, will receive a corresponding amount depending on their case whether slightly or severely affected," Cabaya said.

Severely affected beneficiaries will receive P10,350 while those slightly affected will receive P5,175 each, he added.

The assistance is part of the Emergency Cash Transfer, an unconditional financial assistance program designed to bridge the gap between immediate disaster relief and early recovery, Cabaya said.

The earthquake has affected 1.3 million individuals in Sarangani, South Cotabato, and General Santos City as of 5 p.m. June 19. Fifty-six people were killed, 18 still missing, and 1, 259 were injured by the tremor.

The OCD said 68,509 houses were damaged, over 9,000 of which were totally damaged. Initial damage to infrastructure was placed at P2.3 billion.