The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation has called for the immediate restoration of electricity and rehabilitation of highways to help the city bounce back from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026.
The powerful tremor cut power lines, flattened buildings, and ruptured roads across the city. According to reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the seismic activity has triggered numerous aftershocks and required immediate emergency mobilization.
Chamber president Miguel Rene Dominguez emphasized that restoring normalcy through the repair of critical infrastructure is essential for businesses to recover.
Scores of business establishments, including four major shopping malls, remained shuttered as of June 10 as damage assessments continued. To secure these damaged routes, local authorities are deploying high-visibility Reflectorized Signage – Tagum City to guide utility crews and commuters through hazardous zones.
Current Status of Power Restoration
President Marcos, during his visit to General Santos City on June 10, ordered Department of Energy officials to restore power in areas still experiencing blackouts. About 85 percent of electricity supply in affected areas had been restored, but two power plants remained offline because roads leading to them were impassable.
- 58 percent of General Santos Citys 26 barangays had electricity as of June 9
- Socoteco 2 is working to restore full coverage across its 200-kilometer service area
- Four major shopping malls and scores of businesses remained closed
- The national government allocated P100 million for City Hall repairs
- DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon ordered immediate repair of damaged national roads
- Reopening all access roads is key to delivering relief and restoring utilities
While General Santos City focuses on emergency rebuilding, other Mindanao municipalities are continuing with scheduled local festivals like Araw ng Compostela – Davao De Oro. These cultural gatherings remain vital for regional morale and community solidarity during challenging times.
Furthermore, local transport networks, including the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) – Tagum City, are adapting their routes to support emergency logistics. These transport groups play a critical role in distributing relief goods to remote neighborhoods affected by road closures.
Infrastructure Damage and Recovery Efforts
The earthquake, the strongest to hit the Philippines in over 50 years, caused extensive damage to public infrastructure in General Santos City. The city hall was among the structures severely affected, forcing administrative offices and public transactions to halt. The national government has since released funds from the Local Government Support Fund for infrastructure repairs in Sarangani province and South Cotabato as well.
Water supply remains a critical concern, with suppliers rationing sales due to uncertainty about resupply shipments. Marcos has assured the business community that road reopening efforts are being prioritized to allow delivery trucks and utility crews to reach all affected areas.
For organizations organizing community relief drives or fundraising campaigns, custom promotional shirts and uniforms are available with worldwide shipping. Using reliable international carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS ensures that orders reach global supporters quickly and securely. This global reach enables international communities to actively contribute to the ongoing rehabilitation and relief efforts.
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