The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that property damage in General Santos City caused by the magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake has reached P1 billion on June 8, 2026.
“Obviously, napakalakas nito. Isa ito sa pinakamalakas [earthquake] sa mundo this year,” DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said in an interview.
“Initial assessment, merong roughly running total nasa isang bilyon na yung damages sa iba’t ibang building sa Gensan pa lang ‘yon,” he added.
DPWH said they will work closely with local government units to identify key structures, assess the extent of the damage, and strengthen safety measures for buildings that may be vulnerable to possible afterschocks.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the epicentral area may continue to experience aftershocks for days or even weeks, with some quakes expected to be felt in neighboring provinces, that could reach as high as magnitude 6.8.
PHIVOLCS also urged the public to avoid entering structures that developed cracks following the earthquake, warning that these buildings may have sustained damage that could pose safety risks.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that the number of fatalities from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake had risen to 19.
