Animals, Not Just Humans, Get Aid After Earthquake in Mindanao

By Manila Standard

Coins.ph partnered with Angat Pinas, Inc. to provide earthquake relief for humans and animals in Mindanao.

Digital wallet and cryptocurrency platform Coins.ph has deployed a ₱3 million donation to Angat Pinas, Inc. to sustain critical, localized relief operations in southern Mindanao following the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the region on June 8.

While traditional emergency distributions focus heavily on human infrastructure, this collaborative initiative consciously includes provisions for affected animals, ensuring a comprehensive recovery framework for stricken communities.

Overcoming Logistical Bottlenecks in Sarangani

The decision by Coins.ph to route its disaster relief funding through Angat Pinas, Inc. stems from the non-government organization’s (NGO) capability to navigate severe logistical bottlenecks to access isolated areas. Among the municipalities in Sarangani, the coastal town of Glan was one of the worst-hit areas.

Unlike the urban infrastructure damage seen in nearby General Santos City, Glan suffered a devastating mountain landslide triggered by the initial tremor. Reports indicate that at least 18 people were killed in Glan alone when soil and debris buried residential areas at the foot of the mountain. The municipality continues to deal with severe ground fissures, widespread road damage, and a highly unstable terrain exacerbated by persistent aftershocks—including a powerful magnitude 5.5 aftershock that jolted the area late Monday night, triggering further ground instability.

Furthermore, the disaster caused the collapse of key bridge infrastructure connecting Glan to main logistics routes, entirely cutting off land access. Operating from their station in GenSan, the Angat Pinas, Inc. team underwent a grueling transit route to deliver aid under the threat of active tremors—driving over an hour to the nearest operational port before enduring a two-hour boat ride across rough waters to reach the isolated coastal communities of Glan.

Sustainable Water Solutions and Animal Welfare

Beyond geographical isolation, Glan is facing a critical, compounding water shortage. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake severely fractured main municipal water pipelines and triggered widespread power outages, completely knocking local water systems offline. Because commercial bottled water inventories were entirely exhausted even in neighboring GenSan, traditional relief pipelines immediately collapsed under the weight of a broken supply chain.

To resolve this shortage systematically, Angat Pinas, Inc. utilized the Coins.ph funding to transport industrial water filtration systems directly to Glan via their maritime route. By deploying these filtration units on-site, the team can sustainably process and purify local water sources, establishing a continuous, self-sufficient supply of clean drinking water for both the displaced residents and their animals.

The active pipeline directly addresses the expanding crisis inside crowded municipal evacuation centers, where hundreds of displaced families were sheltered in tents.

In the wake of the disaster, local response teams reportedly observed disoriented pets wandering through the mountain landslide debris in search of their families, while other animals were successfully extricated after being trapped under collapsed walls.

Addressing Critical Provisions Within Evacuation Camps

As these displaced families fill evacuation spaces, many pet owners have chosen to prioritize the safety of their animals over personal property, bringing their dogs and cats into the temporary camps. This rapid crowding has created an urgent need for dedicated animal provisions.

To expand the reach of their interventions and safely manage the influx of displaced pets, Angat Pinas, Inc. has partnered with A Heart for Paws, a local animal welfare organization based in GenSan. This collaboration ensures that rescued, injured, or separated dogs and cats receive specialized care, shelter management, and veterinary oversight.

The Coins.ph funding directly backs this collaborative framework by delivering emergency pet food to evacuation centers and supporting local shelter operations, ensuring that companion animals are sustained alongside the communities sheltering within the camps.

“As communities recover, we must also remember the dogs and cats affected alongside them,” said Portia Carlos, government relations head at Coins.ph. “Their needs are often overlooked in times of crisis, and we hope to help ensure they are not forgotten.”

“We thank Coins.ph for their generosity and trust,” said Raffy Magno, executive director of Angat Pinas, Inc. “Partnerships like this strengthen our shared commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in times of crisis.”

The emergency distribution pipeline remains active alongside local responders, community volunteers, and animal welfare advocates in Sarangani. Coins.ph urges its users and the broader corporate sector to support holistic relief mobilization that considers the interconnectedness of human and community welfare during natural calamities.

This article also appears in the Manila Standard