President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the full mobilization of government agencies to assist communities affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province of Cebu and parts of Visayas region on Tuesday night, September 30.
The President reported that Cabinet officials have already been deployed to oversee response operations in affected areas. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is assessing the damage to roads and bridges, while the Department of Energy (DOE) is working to restore power supply. The Department of Health (DOH) has dispatched additional medical teams to hospitals, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is distributing food packs and other relief assistance.
Agencies in Action
In a statement, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have been deployed to assist in search and rescue operations.
“Search and rescue are the priority of the PNP, while maintaining order and preventing looting are also part of their mandate,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also activated its relief operations. Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that 300,000 family food packs are prepositioned across Cebu and are ready for immediate distribution to affected families.
From the health sector, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa announced that medical teams from Cebu South Medical Center and Eversley Medical Center have been dispatched to provide emergency care in affected communities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are augmenting the response efforts. The PCG is deploying the BRP Teresa Magbanua (97-meter vessel) carrying doctors, nurses, medics, and essential emergency equipment to assist local disaster response teams.
The PCG also confirmed the mobilization of eight Search-and-Rescue (SAR) K9 teams—one stationed in Cebu, one from Cagayan de Oro, and six from Manila—dedicated to operations in collapsed structures. In addition, water desalinators will be deployed to Northern Cebu to address the shortage of clean water in hospitals and evacuation centers due to damaged pipelines.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has alerted agenicies to utilize their Quick Response Funds (QRF), an emergency fund used to finance urgent relief and recovery initiatives, helping communities return to normalcy after disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.
Malacañang confirmed that a rescue team has already been dispatched to Cebu today to reinforce ongoing humanitarian and emergency operations.
Marcos urged the public to remain alert and adhere to the advisories of their local governments.
“Together, we will overcome this challenge and rebuild the communities affected by the earthquake,” he said.
Meanhwile, the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Cebu has passed a resolution declaring state of calamity in the province of Cebu.
Authorities assured the public that all necessary resources are being mobilized to assist victims and restore normalcy in the quake-hit areas.
