THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday said hundreds of people were affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that shook Regions 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao) and 12 (Soccsksargen) last Friday.

The NDRRMC said the number of casualties rose to eight, while six individuals were injured.

The agency said that 180 families or 1,509 individuals were affected, 1,074 of whom were displaced. The Department of Social Welfare and Development said at least P41 million had been released to aid those affected by the earthquake.

At least 60 houses and dozens of roads, bridges and buildings, including schools, were damaged.

Two bridges linking Sarangani and General Santos were closed because of cracks.

Several schools in Sarangani and General Santos City were destroyed.

Classrooms in Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon, Maasim and Maitum in Sarangani sustained cracks. No students were injured during the tremor.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated its shelter cluster teams in quake-affected regions in Mindanao.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said on Sunday that the activation of the cluster teams was in compliance with a circular from the NDRRMC following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Sarangani province on Friday.

Undersecretary Randy Escolango directed concerned regional offices to closely monitor their respective areas of jurisdiction and facilitate emergency response and humanitarian assistance as needed.

The DHSUD and the International Organization for Migration have prepared shelter-grade tarpaulins for distribution to affected families, Escolango said.

Based on the NDRRMC report, among the most affected areas were Regions 11 and 12. It said that at least 74 houses in Regions 11 and 12 were partially or totally damaged due to the earthquake.