Cebu under state of calamity

Local

CEBU Province officially declared a state of calamity on Wednesday, Oct. 1, after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck northern towns late Tuesday evening, September 30, leaving 53 dead and dozens injured.

Vice Gov. Glenn Soco presided over an emergency session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which approved the declaration.

This allows the provincial government to mobilize resources, provide urgent relief, and implement recovery measures across affected communities.

The session was conducted online as the Cebu Provincial Legislative Building undergoes safety inspections.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO) reported fatalities including 30 in Bogo City, 11 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan, with at least 175 others injured.

Infrastructure damage was widespread, including collapsed bridges, cracks in roads, and structural failures in public and private buildings.

Power outages affected several towns, notably Asturias, where transformer explosions caused blackouts.

The Visayas Grid Authority raised the power system to yellow alert on Wednesday morning after 27 plants tripped, resulting in a total loss of 1,444.1 megawatts.

Sixteen other plants were already offline, and one operated at reduced capacity, leaving 1,654.7 megawatts unavailable. Luzon and Mindanao grids remained stable.

Telecommunications were disrupted in Bogo City, Daanbantayan, and San Remigio, while transportation interruptions stranded 52 passengers in Carmen and Consolacion.

Key facilities in Bogo City, including the city hall, port, bus terminal, and commercial establishments, suffered major damage. Partial structural damage was also reported at the Office of the Vice Governor and Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Religious and cultural sites were affected, including the destruction of Daanbantayan’s Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, the collapse of San Remigio Sports Complex and San Juan Nepomuceno Parish, and damage to the Capelinha de Fatima Replica.

Hagnaya Port temporarily suspended operations, while several residential structures also sustained damage.

Relief operations began immediately.

Humanitarian organizations also responded. Angat Buhay (Angat Pinas, Inc.) announced the setup of temporary hot meal stations in affected towns, supported by the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network and Rise Against Hunger Philippines, to ensure rapid assistance for vulnerable families.

At the national level, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to provide immediate support.

The Department of Health (DOH) assessed personnel safety near the epicenter and deployed medical teams from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and DOH Cebu South Medical Center to Bogo City and nearby towns.

Regional DOH offices coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for a streamlined response.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) activated resource augmentation, providing P379 million in standby funds and 2.4 million prepositioned family food packs nationwide, while assisting in evacuations.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) instructed agencies to tap Quick Response Funds (QRF) for urgent relief and recovery operations. Regional offices coordinate with OCD to identify specific needs and replenish QRF balances as necessary.

Senator Risa Hontiveros’ team delivered two trucks of drinking water to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City and coordinated with hospital head Dr. Zoraida Yurangco to assess additional needs.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro confirmed that the provincial government is working closely with national agencies to ensure swift relief. Danao City’s DRRM office is evaluating road conditions to Bogo City, and equipment is being readied for debris clearance.

The DOH trauma team from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center is prioritizing medical support, and relief goods and medicines are being dispatched without delay. Authorities reminded residents to remain vigilant, as aftershocks may still occur.

Classes have been suspended in most towns and cities across Cebu, while local governments in Borbon, Asturias, Malabuyoc, Danao City, Liloan, and Medellin suspended work in government offices.

The CPDRRMO has raised red alert status, mobilizing all emergency responders for ongoing damage assessment and rescue operations.

Officials continue to urge residents to follow local government instructions, avoid unsafe structures, and stay prepared as relief and recovery efforts continue.(MyTVCebu)