Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Sunday said they have activated their shelter cluster teams in quake-affected regions in Mindanao.

This is following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani province on Friday.

Upon the order of Acuzar and in compliance with the NDRRMC Circular, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango issued a memorandum for the activation of the shelter teams.

Based on the NDRRMC, among the most affected areas were Regions 11 (Davao Region) and 12 (Soccsargen Region).

The NDRRMC also reported that at least 74 houses in Regions 11 and 12 were either partially (55) or totally (19) damaged due to the tectonic quake.

Undersecretary Escolango specifically directed affected Regional Offices "to closely monitor your respective areas of jurisdiction and facilitate emergency responses and humanitarian assistance as needed."

"Moreover, all Regional Directors are enjoined to coordinate with the respective Shelter Cluster Members within their regions and convene using all available means," he added.

The affected DHSUD Regional Offices were also tasked to submit daily situation reports to the DHSUD Central Office.

Undersecretary Escolango said that DHSUD and its partner International Organization for Migration have readied shelter-grade tarpaulins for distribution to affected families.

Other assistance is being readied by DHSUD and its partner NGOs.

DHSUD, as the primary government agency in housing, leads the NDRRMC Shelter Cluster.