No Electricity For 800,000 Households; Flights Canceled; Classes, Work Suspended

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Sarangani on Monday, June 8, disrupted electricity service to more than 800,000 households across Mindanao, prompting the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess damage to energy infrastructure and accelerate power restoration efforts.

Citing initial reports, the DOE said around 864,000 households, mostly in South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and the Davao region, experienced blackouts as of 2 p.m.

Through its Task Force on Energy Resiliency, the DOE immediately activated coordination mechanisms with electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, oil industry stakeholders and other relevant agencies to monitor the condition and operational status of energy facilities in affected areas.

According to the DOE, the outages affected households within the franchise areas of six power distributors: South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO I), South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO II), Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO), Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Davao Light and Power Co. and Cotabato Light and Power Co.

Due to this, SOCOTECO I, SOCOTECO II and SUKELCO had declared a state of total power interruption, affecting 803,230 households.

Sixteen other electric cooperatives being monitored had already normalized operations, according to the National Electrification Administration.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines suspended airport operations at General Santos International Airport following the earthquake and the tsunami warning issued by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Government suspends classes, work

President Marcos ordered the suspension of classes at all levels “until further notice” in areas affected by the earthquake in Mindanao on Monday.

“I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately,” the President said in a message, issued shortly after the magnitude 7.8 quake struck, with its epicenter in the town of Maasim in Sarangani.

Ordering a whole-of-government approach, Marcos said the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) were coordinating disaster response efforts and monitoring the situation across all affected areas.

Department of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said quick response teams were deployed in evacuation sites in Sarangani, while DSWD Region 12 had sent 1,500 family food packs and five family tents to affected families in General Santos City.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways is ready to deploy its personnel to assess damage to roads, bridges and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations.

The quake happened as classes for school year 2026-2027 opened on Monday.

“The safety of our children comes first. The Department of Education (DepEd) will coordinate with local government units on this,” the President said.

A tsunami warning was also issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology across several coastal provinces in Mindanao.

“To our kababayans 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,” Marcos stressed.

The Chief Executive said the national government is mobilizing all necessary resources and assured the public that Mindanao will not be left behind.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government has sufficient calamity fund to support communities.

As of June 5, the combined quick response funds (QRFs) of national government disaster response agencies amount to P13.14 billion, while the NDRRMC has an available balance of P34.23 billion, the Department of Budget and Management said.

The DBM said all QRF-assisted agencies may immediately tap their allocations. Under existing rules, agencies may request replenishment once 50 percent of their QRFs have been utilized.

Asked whether the President would visit the quake-hit province, Castro said the Chief Executive would not want his personal presence at the calamity sites to distract ongoing clearing and rescue and relief operations.

Sen. Bong Go, meanwhile, expressed his sympathies with his “fellow Mindanaoans hit by the powerful quake.”

“I call on our local government units to immediately conduct immediate assessment of all affected buildings and structures, because the safety of our fellowmen must be our priority to avoid further damage,” he said. — With Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva, Delon Porcalla, Aubrey Rose Inosante, Ghio Ong, Pia Lee-Brago, EJ Macababbad, Rudy Santos, Elijah Felice Rosales