General Santos City under State of Calamity following strong earthquake

Local officials in General Santos City officially declared a state of calamity on Monday. This legislative move follows the significant destruction caused by a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck nearby Maasim, Sarangani. By implementing this status, the city government aims to expedite the release of emergency funds and resources to assist affected residents. Authorities are currently conducting damage assessments to determine the full extent of the impact on infrastructure and public safety. Relief operations are expected to intensify as the city manages the aftermath of the seismic event.

Declaring a state of calamity is a critical administrative step that allows local governments to access emergency budgets and provide immediate humanitarian aid to disaster-stricken communities.