DAVAO CITY — A convoy carrying 4,000 boxes of welfare goods and 3,000 bottles of drinking water rolled out from Davao City today, June 16, 2026, bound for communities battered by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8. The massive relief operation targets the hardest‑hit areas of General Santos City, Sarangani, and Jose Abad Santos.
A Swift Response to a Devastating Quake
The earthquake, whose epicenter was traced offshore of Maasim, Sarangani, left a trail of destruction across the region. As of June 15, the official death toll had climbed to 65, with 36 individuals still missing and thousands of families displaced. Entire barangays saw homes flattened and essential services severed overnight.
In the face of such tragedy, Davao City’s local government mobilized its resources with urgency. The dispatched aid represents the most substantial single relief shipment from the city since the disaster struck. Each box contains food packs and basic necessities meant to sustain a family for several days.
A 42‑Member Team on the Ground
Leading the distribution is a 42‑member composite team composed of personnel from various frontline offices. Members were drawn from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Engineer’s Office, the City Mayor’s Office, and the city’s Security Cluster.
Their mission extends beyond simply handing out supplies. Engineers will assess structural damage, social workers will conduct psychosocial first aid, and disaster responders will help coordinate with local officials on the ground. The multi‑agency composition ensures a holistic response to both immediate needs and emerging recovery requirements.
City Information Officer Harvey Lanticse confirmed that the team departed early this morning to maximize daylight operations. He added that the distribution plan prioritizes remote sitios that have yet to receive adequate assistance from other sources.
Bridging Gaps for the Most Affected
Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental recorded the highest number of affected families, with 22,576 households in need of assistance. The town’s remote location and damaged roads made it one of the most difficult areas to reach. Davao City’s convoy will supplement the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ongoing efforts, which have already delivered 4,000 family food packs and employed Black Hawk helicopters for upland barangays.
In Sarangani, municipalities like Glan and Malapatan also suffered extensive damage. The relief goods from Davao City are expected to ease the pressure on evacuation centers where families have been sleeping under makeshift tents for over a week. Local officials there have repeatedly appealed for more food and clean water.
Solidarity in Times of Crisis
The aid shipment underscores a principle deeply rooted in Mindanaoan culture: in times of calamity, boundaries blur and solidarity prevails. Davao City Mayor’s Office representatives emphasized that the assistance is not just a bureaucratic obligation but an expression of genuine compassion for neighbors in distress.
The sight of 11 trucks leaving the city, loaded with relief items and escorted by a security detail, served as a powerful reminder that hope travels on four wheels. For the thousands of displaced families, the convoy represents more than supplies—it is a message that they have not been forgotten.
As recovery efforts continue, Davao City officials have pledged to remain engaged. More shipments and technical support may follow once the 42‑member team submits its on‑the‑ground assessment. The road to healing will be long, but today’s mission marks a significant step forward.
