Sultan Kudarat LGUs order preemptive evacuation from coastal areas

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January 23, 2026 | 12:00am

COTABATO CITY , Philippines —  Families in the coastal barangays of Lebak and Kalamansig towns in Sultan Kudarat sought shelter in upland evacuation centers following the earthquakes felt in Central Mindanao since Tuesday, fearing these would create tsunamis.

The residents noted that an Intensity 8 earthquake hit their localities on Aug. 16, 1976, leaving about 8,000 villagers dead.

Kalamansig Mayor Ronan Eugene Garcia was quoted in radio reports as having ordered barangay officials and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel to evacuate to higher areas the residents of 11 coastal barangays.

Garcia identified these areas as barangays Santa Clara, Pag-Asa, Datu Ito Andong, Nalilidan, Dumangas Nuevo, Santa Maria, Cadiz, Sangay, Paril, Baliwasan and Poblacion.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported a total of 633 earthquakes in Sultan Kudarat, as of 12 p.m. yesterday. Phivolcs also advised residents in coastal areas to be on alert for local tsunami warnings.

As a precaution, both Lebak and Kalamansig town governments suspended classes in all levels.