Aftershocks hinder Philippine quake recovery as death toll rises to 47

Aftershocks, damaged roads and isolated villages are slowing the response to the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck off southern Mindanao on Monday, as the death toll rose to at least 47 and officials pushed to get food and water to cut-off communities.

The latest Associated Press reporting says 688 people have been injured, 31 remain missing and more than 45,000 residents have been displaced. About half of those displaced are staying in emergency shelters as the region continues to deal with repeated aftershocks.

Recovery slows

The quake’s impact is now centered on the difficult transition from rescue to relief. Strong aftershocks are still forcing evacuations and keeping people away from damaged homes and buildings.

Landslides and damaged roads have made access especially difficult in parts of Sarangani province, including Glan, where some villages remain isolated. Local officials have warned that air access may be needed if road routes cannot be restored quickly.

Residents in isolated areas face the immediate risk of running short of food and water before ground routes reopen. Relief workers are trying to reach communities that have been cut off by damage to roads and communications.

Toll keeps rising

AP’s earlier reporting on Wednesday put the death toll lower, at least 45. By Thursday morning, the number had risen to 47 as responders reached more areas and continued to account for the missing.

Sarangani has reported the highest confirmed toll among the affected provinces, with 20 deaths, according to the Office of Civil Defense as quoted by AP. More than 12,600 houses have been damaged, adding to the scale of the humanitarian need.

The quake has affected a broad swath of southern Mindanao, including Sarangani, General Santos, South Cotabato and Davao Occidental. The disaster has left officials still trying to piece together the full extent of damage to homes, roads, schools and public buildings.

Government response

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has visited General Santos City and ordered emergency funds and compensation for victims’ families, AP reported. National and local authorities are still assessing the damage while trying to keep relief moving into the hardest-hit areas.

Victor James Yap, the mayor of Glan, has asked for helicopters to deliver food and water to villages that cannot yet be reached by road. Officials say aerial deliveries may be needed if access remains blocked for another stretch of time.

The Office of Civil Defense has been coordinating the response as rescue operations shift further toward shelter, supply delivery and longer-term recovery work.

What happens next

Search and rescue operations are expected to continue while officials work to reopen access routes and reach isolated residents. Authorities may update the number of missing people and the casualty count as more villages are reached.

For now, the combination of aftershocks, landslides and communications damage is slowing the response and complicating the recovery effort. The scale of displacement suggests that shelter and rebuilding needs will last well beyond the first emergency phase.