Latter-day Saints Provide a Month of Relief Assistance After Sarangani Earthquake

Throughout June, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided continuous relief assistance and aid to residents and Church members in communities affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake which struck the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao last June 8.

One of the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent decades, the earthquake severely impacted the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Davao Occidental, as well as General Santos City. Government reports indicate that more than 81 people were killed, 1,300 were injured, and 87,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Right after the earthquake struck, the General Santos Philippines Stake opened its stake center and meetinghouse (chapel) as an evacuation center and relief hub. Residents were able to find refuge and Internet connectivity, as large parts of General Santos City were without power, water supply, and communication signals.

Under the direction of the stake president, President Alexander Benedicto, Church members promptly mobilized to provide relief assistance to families in the municipalities of Glan and Alabel in Sarangani, which were among the hardest-hit areas.

A second round of humanitarian response followed, as the Church worked with the Alagang Kapatid Foundation of TV5 Network to jointly distribute some 4,200 emergency packages consisting of food packs, hygiene kits, and bags of rice.

Brother Loehl Garneth Gementiza, the Church’s humanitarian services manager, dispatched relief packs which were distributed in the provincial capital of Alabel. Brother Gementiza also coordinated similar efforts for affected families in Tupi, South Cotabato

Church representatives met with Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles of the Lone District of General Santos, Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao of General Santos City, and Vice Mayor Victor James P. Yap of Glan to convey the Church's disaster response and humanitarian initiatives.

The group also met with Irish Flor S. Yaranon, National Chief Administration Officer, and Regine P. Nievares, Regional Project Development Officer I of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to explore humanitarian partnership options in building stronger, more resilient communities.

The Church joined hands with other faith communities and humanitarian organizations such as the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the United Methodist Church, CARE Philippines, SOCCSKSARGEN Ecumenical Council, and Dagyaw Relief Network in the repacking and distribution of emergency goods in General Santos City and other communities.

In Glan, Church members whose homes had been severely damaged received assistance. Among them was Sister Marilou Arrieta, whose house was completely destroyed.

In Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Church members from Marbel Philippines Stake provided help to affected families and students, particularly those displaced from damaged apartment buildings.

In General Santos City, Church members and missionaries from General Santos Third Ward repaired the damaged homes of the Pepito family and Sister Emerenciana Banagado.

These humanitarian efforts reflect the continuing commitment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to care for those in need as Jesus Christ taught. In 2025, the Church supported 569 emergency relief projects worldwide, working with trusted organizations and local leaders to bring relief to those in need.