When a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck offshore near Maasim, Sarangani Province, on June 8, 2026, Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) was among the first to feel its full force.
Inside the control room, monitors rattled, alarms sounded, and the floor rolled beneath the feet of the Operations and Maintenance team. Communication lines went down, making it difficult for employees to reach their families.
In those first moments, every decision mattered. The team had to protect both the people inside the facility and the plant itself.
For Operations Manager Jeed Linogao, the priority was clear.
“Our first priority was our people. We told everyone to check on their families first before returning to inspect the facility.”
Yet Linogao faced the same uncertainty as everyone else.
“That was the hardest part. You try to stay calm because everyone is looking to you for direction, but deep inside, you’re hoping your loved ones are safe.”
Despite the fear, the team remained at their posts and followed emergency procedures.
As the shaking eased, Main Plant Control Operator Mark Lapinig noticed one monitor still standing, showing both generating units remained online.
“I looked at the screen and saw both units were still running. I told Sir Risty, ‘We can do this.’ I just wanted everyone to stay focused.”
His words steadied Operations Shift Supervisor Risty Babe Española.
“Mark’s confidence gave me strength. We were all scared, but in moments like that, you lean on each other.”
The brave and dedicated SEC Operations Team who showed courage, teamwork, and care when it mattered most (L-R): Risty Babe Española, Shift Supervisor; Jeed Linogao, Operations Manager; Marlon Dalaguan, Operations Superintendent; and Mark Lapining, Control Room Engineer.
With aftershocks continuing, the team decided to safely shut down both generating units to protect employees and prevent more extensive damage.
“We knew we couldn’t take chances, so we manually tripped the plant,” recalled Operations Superintendent Marlon Dalaguan.
Operators safely shut down the units while engineers secured equipment and inspected critical systems before any restart. Their discipline allowed SEC to gradually restore operations. Unit 1 synchronized with the grid on June 11, followed by Unit 2 on June 14. After further inspections and repairs, both units were fully operational by June 23, helping strengthen the reliability of the Mindanao grid.
Throughout the ordeal, management also focused on employee welfare despite widespread communication outages.
“What gave us confidence was knowing management never forgot about us. They didn’t ask for reports first—they asked if we were safe,” Linogao recalled.
The June 8 earthquake tested more than the strength of SEC’s facilities. It tested the judgment, discipline, courage, and humanity of the people behind them.
In those critical days, the team protected lives, safeguarded vital infrastructure, and restored an essential service for millions of Mindanaoans.
When it mattered most, ‘We Power with Care’ became more than a promise—it became the principle that guided every decision, from protecting people inside the plant to restoring power for the communities that depended on it.
