ALABEL, Sarangani Province — The Provincial Government of Sarangani has joined forces with the Philippine Army to accelerate recovery efforts for families displaced by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the province on June 8, 2026, deploying military engineering personnel to construct 210 temporary shelters in the municipalities of Glan and Malapatan.
The deployment was marked by a send-off ceremony held on October 12, 2026, at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol in Alabel, alongside the provincial government’s flag-raising ceremony. The initiative aims to provide safer temporary housing for families whose homes were severely affected by the earthquake and who continue to stay in evacuation centers.
The 1002nd Infantry Brigade (1002Bde) is leading the military deployment, with engineering units placed under its operational control tasked with helping build shelters for the most severely affected households.
The 105th Infantry (SAIFULLAH) Battalion deployed 62 personnel to support the construction of the 210 temporary shelters. Other participating units include the 73rd Infantry Battalion, the 504th Engineer Construction Battalion (504CEB), the 512th Engineer Construction Battalion (512ECB), and the 534th Engineer Construction Battalion (534ECB), along with Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) personnel from the 73rd and 105th Infantry Battalions.
The coordinated deployment brings together military engineering capabilities and local government support to address the immediate housing needs of earthquake-affected residents while the province continues its rehabilitation and recovery efforts.
For families still living in evacuation centers months after the disaster, the construction of temporary shelters is an important step toward restoring a measure of safety, stability, and dignity. Providing suitable temporary accommodation can also help ease the burden on evacuation facilities as displaced residents work toward rebuilding their lives.
The initiative underscores the continuing partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Provincial Government of Sarangani in responding to the consequences of the earthquake. By mobilizing engineering personnel and other military resources, the government aims to deliver practical assistance to communities bearing the heaviest effects of the disaster.
The construction teams are expected to focus on the most severely affected families in Glan and Malapatan, where the 210 shelters are intended to provide temporary housing while longer-term recovery and rehabilitation continue.
Through the joint effort, provincial authorities and military units are seeking to turn emergency assistance into tangible support for affected households, helping communities move beyond displacement and take steps toward recovery.
While temporary shelters do not replace the need for permanent and resilient housing, the initiative represents a critical intervention for families who need a safer place to stay as Sarangani continues to recover from the June earthquake.