DAVAO OCCIDENTAL — The government will not abandon earthquake-stricken communities once the headlines fade. Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian made this commitment during a visit to Davao Occidental on June 14, 2026. He assured residents that aid will continue until every family recovers fully from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8.
"This is not a one-shot deal, meaning that once you are no longer in the headlines, we will not disappear. Our efforts are sustained. We will not give up until you are all able to rise again," Gatchalian told local reporters. He emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had ordered all available resources to be deployed.
Emergency Cash Transfer Begins Soon
Beyond food packs and immediate relief, the government is launching an emergency cash transfer program. Gatchalian said he has already requested beneficiary lists from provincial officials. "Ang goal namin, the soonest, sana ay ma-start next Saturday. Latest na siguro two Mondays from now," he said.
The cash transfer will be implemented in waves to ensure orderly distribution. Gatchalian explained that the initial payout gets things started, while a deeper assessment will determine further recovery support. "Ang importante ay masimulan na," he added. This flexible approach allows the government to adapt its response as needs evolve.
Food, Medical Aid, and the Long Road Ahead
The DSWD has already provided more than ₱24 million in food and non-food assistance across the Davao Region. Over 71,000 family food packs have been distributed, with an additional 40,000 set for delivery. Cash aid of ₱10,000 each has been given to 421 patients at Sarangani Provincial Hospital and Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital.
Gatchalian emphasized the two-pronged strategy. "Food is the first order of business, immediate relief. The second order of business, ang instruction ng Presidente, hindi lahat ng kailangan ng isang pamilya ay mahahanap dyan sa mga box na yan," he said. The cash transfer program fills this gap, enabling families to purchase medicines, clothing, and other essentials not found in relief boxes.
A Promise of Partnership
The secretary's visit to Davao Occidental included meetings with Governor Franklin Bautista and Vice Governor Lorna Bautista‑Bandigan. He was scheduled to proceed to General Santos City and Glan, Sarangani, to coordinate with local officials on further interventions. The DSWD maintains over ₱748 million in Quick Response Funds and more than ₱5.16 billion in total available resources nationwide.
"Sisiguraduhin namin na hindi bibitaw hanggang sa maiahon natin ang ating mga kababayan mula dito sa trahedya na to," Gatchalian vowed. With 61 confirmed deaths, over 1,200 injured, and more than 45,000 homes damaged, the recovery timeline extends far beyond the immediate aftermath. The government's message remains clear: assistance will not stop until communities fully rebuild.
