As mothers cradled newborns under sweltering tents and displaced families waited in crowded evacuation centers, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday checked on earthquake-ravaged communities in Sarangani Province and General Santos City to assess the damage and assure victims of continued government assistance.

Marcos’ presence brought renewed hope to thousands of victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

The President began his visit with an aerial inspection of damaged infrastructure across Sarangani, where communities continue to struggle with the aftermath of the powerful June 8 tremor.

Marcos and his party, including Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon and other government officials, then proceeded to the evacuation center at the municipal plaza in Glan, where more than a hundred families remain sheltered in makeshift tents while waiting for permanent assistance.

Hundreds of residents patiently lined up for relief assistance as truckloads of food and essential supplies continued to arrive on Friday, with the government ensuring assistance and community support for the heavily affected municipality.

Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. said at least 24 people had died in the town as of June 13, while rescue workers were still searching for possible victims in remote villages cut off by landslides.

Yap recalled that the town’s new municipal hall, damaged by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in 2024, finally collapsed during the latest disaster.

The mayor expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support now reaching the town.

Among those waiting for assistance was former Commission on Elections (Comelec) volunteer Jecel Dave Monton, who said the earthquake left him shaken as he carried his three-year-old child to safety while his wife prepared to leave for work.

“Grabe talaga experience ko. Ito iyong pangyayari na nawala ang lakas ng loob ko,” Monton recalled.

The devastation was especially heartbreaking at the Sarangani Provincial Hospital in Alabel, where patients have been temporarily housed under tents erected in the parking area because portions of the facility sustained severe damage.

Hospital staff reported that 23 newborn babies were staying in the temporary shelters, while 25 patients were delivered on June 13 alone despite the difficult conditions.

President Marcos also inspected the damaged Sapu Masla Bridge in Malapatan, a key transport link whose damage has slowed the movement of residents, farmers, and traders.

At Malapatan National High School, school officials showed the President a severely damaged four-story building whose roof also completely collapsed during the earthquake.

Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr. said classes remain suspended following a magnitude 5.6 aftershock and emphasized that student safety remains the top priority.

“Mas importante ang kaligtasan ng mga bata,” Sumbo said, noting that many learners are still traumatized by the disaster.

At the evacuation center, social welfare assistant Arnel Querido recounted being thrown awake by the violent shaking, while resident Arnel Binse said his family lost everything when their home was destroyed.

During a situation briefing in General Santos City, President Marcos listened to local officials’ concerns and led the turnover of patient transport vehicles and assistance funds, assuring affected communities that the national government would continue supporting Sarangani and other Mindanao provinces as they rebuild from one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in recent years. Presidential News Desk