Efforts to restore power and assess the impact on farming continue following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani and nearby areas on Monday, according to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
The DOE has deployed personnel and activated Task Force Kapatid to speed up repairs, bringing in over 70 workers, vehicles, and specialized equipment from various electric cooperatives. Restoration prioritizes critical facilities such as hospitals, evacuation centers, and water systems. While several communities now have power, major generating plants remain offline.
The Malita coal plant’s two units are expected to be back by Wednesday and Saturday, while the Sarangani Energy plant targets restoration by Wednesday. Off-grid areas face delays due to damaged lines, landslides, and heavy rain, with Balut Island not expected to have power until next week. On the transmission side, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines confirmed full restoration across Southwestern Mindanao by Tuesday afternoon, though some distribution utilities still report partial outages affecting over 150,000 customers.
Meanwhile, the DA reports no confirmed damage to crops, livestock, or fisheries so far, but monitoring continues. The agency has pre-positioned substantial aid including seeds, fertilizers, and rice stocks, as well as funds and fishing supplies. Affected farmers may also access interest-free loans of up to ₱25,000, insurance coverage, and funds for rehabilitation as needed.
