ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 12 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Zamboanga Peninsula (DSWD-9) sent off the first batch of the Quick Response Team (QRT) on Thursday to augment disaster response operations of DSWD-Soccsksargen in quake-hit General Santos City.

In a news release Friday, the DSWD-9 said the deployment of the 10-person QRT will provide additional manpower and support to serve families affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on June 8.

"The QRT members will assist with various response activities to help ensure the timely delivery of services and assistance to affected communities," the agency said.

Latest data provided by the Office of Civil Defense showed that the death toll of th...