June 28, 2026
Tzu Chi extends aid to 1,382 quake-hit households in Glan, Sugal, and Butulan
By Joy Rojas
As earthquakes and aftershocks continue to jolt parts of Davao Occidental following June 8’s magnitude 7.8 temblor, eight Tzu Chi volunteers and three staffers from Manila and more than 30 Tzu Chi volunteers from Davao negotiated damaged roads on June 27 to bring relief to affected families in the Municipality of Glan in Sarangani Province, and barangays Sugal and Butulan in the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos.
Of the targeted 1,757 households, volunteers extended relief to 1,403; 681 in Butulan, 294 in Sugal, and 428 in Glan. The remaining 354 received their relief items in upcoming distribution activities.
While beneficiaries in Glan claimed vouchers for construction materials, families in Jose Abad Santos each received a tote bag, 20 kilos of rice, Tzu Chi blanket, banig (woven floor mat), insulated foam, folding bed (for those with totally damaged homes), toothbrush, slippers, sugar, coffee, salt, two water jugs, and an ecobag containing bath soap, detergent, tarpaulin, and solar panel for LED lights.
In Butulan, where at least 1,000 households were in dire need of assistance, volunteers met Erenia Taruc Rufo, a 33-year-old barangay health worker who remains teary-eyed weeks after the massive quake displaced her once peaceful community. Rufo, who was working at her village captain’s home when it collapsed from the violent shaking, could only think of the safety of her two young children: a little boy in school for his first day of classes, and a 3-year-old girl staying at her in-laws.
“They were giving my baby girl a bath when the wall caved in and a hollow block fell on her,” she said. “She wasn’t wearing anything when it happened.” The little girl sustained numerous bruises and wounds, particularly on her foot. She also has an on-and-off-again fever, and appears to have been traumatized by the earthquake, trembling in fear with every aftershock.
Bringing her daughter to a hospital for immediate treatment is out of the question. Save for a blanket and three plates, the Rufos have nothing to their name: Their home, appliances, furniture, and personal belongings are all gone. “Even my husband, a mason, lost his job,” she said, weeping.
Yet in her despair, she reminds herself of what truly matters. “We are thankful to God because we are alive,” said the barangay health worker who continues to work as one of her village’s frontliners. “Some are hurt, some have gashes, but there are no casualties in our community.”
Dionisio Gorre, 55, has much to be grateful for as well. Spared from two landslides, he has enough resources to share, and welcomes all forms of help from those willing to give it.
On his way to Glan on June 8, his motorcycle began to sway uncontrollably as the ground shook. Coming upon policemen, he was instructed to turn back. The quake triggered a landslide, making roads impassable and dangerous to motorists.
Gorre retreated only to encounter another landslide. Stopping by the roadside, he chanced upon his neighbors, a couple walking by the seawall. “Their house fell on them, and the man’s face was crushed. I didn’t recognize him,” he recalled. “Then his wife said, ‘Bong, help us.’” Gorre used his motorbike to drive the couple to the nearest hospital before making his way home.
In Butulan, the Gorres’ residence looked like it had been literally split in half. The family sought shelter at an evacuation center, but left after two nights. “It’s difficult,” said Gorre. “I have an 89-year-old mother and 30-plus-year-old child who is a Person with Disability.”
For all the challenges that he faces, he continues to put other’s welfare before his own. Apart from distributing his supply of rice to evacuees, Gorre shared liters of potable water brought in from his child based in Davao and his wife’s relatives in General Santos City. “Food is hard to come by,” he shrugged of why he helps. “There’s nothing left to buy.”
This makes Tzu Chi’s relief distribution and the kindness of its volunteers a much-appreciated respite from the widespread damage and desperation experienced by Jose Abad Santos in weeks.
“Thank you with all my heart to the Tzu Chi Foundation for coming to our community,” said an emotional Rufo. “Those of us who are injured and homeless are so grateful for your help.”
Tzu Chi volunteers from Davao and Manila gather for a group shot before their June 27 relief.
In General Santos City, Tzu Chi volunteers pay a courtesy call to local leaders to discuss their relief distribution plans.
At a supplier of construction materials, volunteers check items like long span color-roof set aside for beneficiaries with totally damaged homes.
Volunteers help unload relief items at the grounds of Barangay Butulan in Jose Abad Santos.
Tzu Chi volunteers Molita Chua and Judy Lao hold up the tarpaulin that served as the roofing for the distribution of relief items.
Practicing “bayanihan” or community spirit, Jose Abad Santos residents work together to unload sacks of rice from the Tzu Chi truck.
Jose Abad Santos volunteers unload Tzu Chi’s folding beds for distribution to households with totally damaged homes.
Water jugs will be helpful to evacuees as they receive potable water from various donors
A solar panel provides light to households sheltered in outdoor tents.
At the registration area, Tzu Chi scholars prepare to assist households in a distribution of claim stubs.
Families from Butulan, Jose Abad Santos, patiently wait in line to receive their relief claim stub.
Families from Butulan, Jose Abad Santos, patiently wait in line to receive their relief claim stub.
Despite the hardship of losing everything they own from the quake, residents from Butulan, Jose Abad Santos, smile after receiving their claim stubs.
Barangay health worker Erenia Taruc Rufo (left) shares a light moment with Tzu Chi volunteer Josephine So.
Dionisio Gorre (in black shirt with blue stripes) lines up to receive aid. He also extended assistance to his community, sharing rice and potable water donated by family members.
Representatives from different households leave Tzu Chi’s distribution area with their relief items.
Representatives from different households leave Tzu Chi’s distribution area with their relief items.
Representatives from different households leave Tzu Chi’s distribution area with their relief items.
Household members say “thank you” Tzu Chi style with their thumbs as they get ready to leave with their relief items.
A woman holds on to a roll of insulation foam, which will cushion the hard ground she lays on in an evacuation tent.
Tzu Chi Davao OIC Nelson Chua (left) and Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason John A. Joyce give these Tzu Chi foldable beds their two thumbs up.