Manila, June 9 -- Patients at several hospitals in Sarangani have begun returning to indoor facilities on Tuesday, two days after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake caused widespread evacuations across southern Mindanao.

Among the healthcare facilities clearing patients to re-enter buildings is the Malungon Sarangani Provincial Hospital.

"Karamihan sa mga pasyente ay nasa loob na ng ospital, pero ang iba ay nananatili sa temporary facilities habang sinisiguro ang structural integrity ng mga gusali (Most of the patients are already inside the hospital, but others remain in temporary facilities while the structural integrity of the buildings is being ensured)," the DOH said in a public advisory.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa visited...