Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 23) — More than 20 psychosocial responders were deployed to Soccsksargen to give emotional aid to those affected by the magnitude 6.8 quake on Nov. 17, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday.
The reported death toll in the quake that struck Mindanao has climbed to nine, with 30 injured, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. At least 8,903 families or 41,818 individuals have been affected while 252 infrastructures and 4,623 houses have been damaged, NDRRMC added.
The DWSD Office 12 said its Critical Incident and Stress Debriefing (CISD) sessions will “help the victims cope effectively” by helping them navigate their emotional state.
The agency said more than 80 individuals from the Golden State College in General Santos City were given psychosocial intervention.
“This initiative underscores that not all disasters can be addressed solely by providing food packs,” said Naira Aratuc, Chief of the Disaster Response Management Division of the regional office.
“The agency also prioritizes the mental and psychological well-being of the victims affected by the earthquake,” Aratuc added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in its initial report on Wednesday that the earthquake left ₱7.25 million in damage and losses in Soccsksargen.
It affected 120 farmers and fisherfolk, with total volume of production loss at 168 metric tons and 81 hectares of agricultural areas. Among the affected commodities were corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.
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South-central Mindanao disaster council raises red alert after big earthquake
Magnitude 6.8 quake hits waters off Sarangani
On Wednesday morning, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake also hit waters off Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, state seismologists said.
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6.1 quake hits waters off Sarangani
