The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has begun relief efforts for citizens following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao last week.
PAGCOR volunteers have already packed 10,500 food packages and stacked them in warehouses ready for distribution across General Santos City, Mati City, Davao Oriental, the Office of Civil Defense in Region XII and the 2nd District of Davao Oriental.
Alejandro H. Tengco, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO, said: “During times of calamity, we assure our kababayans (fellow countrymen) that PAGCOR is always ready to provide help.
“We hope and pray that affected individuals and families will soon be on their way to recovery and normalcy.”
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred on 8 June and raised the seabed by as much as 2 metres during its duration.
The epicentre was close to the southern coast and triggered landslides and tsunami warnings.
It is the strongest earthquake to hit the region since the 8.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the Philippines on 17 August, 1976.
At least 19 major commercial buildings and 19,000 homes have been damaged.
More than 45,000 people are displaced, at least 60 are dead and dozens are still missing.
Many stores and supermarkets have closed due to extensive damage, while water pipes have been shattered during the earthquake, meaning that it is difficult for people to access basic supplies in the wake of the disaster.
At the time of writing, another 6.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the southern coast again, this time some 67km southeast of Davao City.
The 8 June earthquake hit at 07:37am local time, meaning that most school children were outside in school yards or fields
