June 8, 2026
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the immediate mobilization of government agencies following a strong earthquake off the coast of Sarangani that triggered tsunami warnings in several coastal provinces in Mindanao.
In a statement, Marcos said the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are now coordinating response and monitoring operations in affected areas.
The President directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to pre-position relief supplies and ensure evacuation centers are ready and operational for residents who may be displaced.
He also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stand by for damage assessment and the clearing of roads, bridges, and other critical routes needed for rescue and relief efforts.
Marcos likewise suspended classes at all levels in affected areas across Mindanao until further notice, saying the safety of students remains a priority.
“The safety of our children comes first,” the President said, adding that the Department of Education (DepEd) would coordinate with local government units on the implementation of the suspension.
Marcos urged residents in provinces under tsunami warnings to immediately move to higher ground and follow local authorities’ directives.
“To our kababayans (countrymen) in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” he said.
The President assured the public that the national government is closely coordinating with local chief executives and regional offices as the situation develops.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted Sarangani province at 7:37 a.m. Monday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck 32 km. west of Maasim town. It was 33 km. deep.
Reported Intensities were recorded in the following areas:
Intensity VII – General Santos City
Intensity VI – Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat
Intensity V – City of Davao; City of Kidapawan, and Carmen, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, in Sultan Kudarat; Sibuco, and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
Intensity IV – City of Mati, Davao Oriental; Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay; Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona, Davao Oriental
Intensity III – City of Butuan; Mainit, Surigao del Norte; City of Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte; Kumalarang, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur
Intensity II – City of Dipolog, Labason, Liloy, President Manuel A. Roxas, and Salug,
Zamboanga del Norte; Alicia, Ipil, Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay;
Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte
Instrumental intensities:
Intensity VIII – Malapatan, Sarangani
Intensity VII – City of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental
Intensity VI – City of General Santos; T’boli, South Cotabato
Intensity V – Maasim, Sarangani; Santo Niño, and Surallah, South Cotabato; Isulan,
Lebak, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; City of Davao; City of Digos, and
Magsaysay, Davao del Sur
Intensity IV – Kiamba, Malungon, Sarangani; Banga, and Tupi, South Cotabato; Magpet, and M’lang, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat;
Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Zamboanga
Intensity III – Tantangan, South Cotabato; Columbio, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Alamada,
Banisilan, Carmen, President Roxas, Cotabato; Kalilangan, Bukidnon; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental
Intensity II – Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; City of Malaybalay,
and Libona, Bukidnon; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; City of Cagayan de Oro;
Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
Intensity I – Malitbog, Bukidnon; Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental. (PNA)