The Cebu Provincial Government has declared a state of calamity following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30, 2025, devastating Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan, and nearby municipalities.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), at least 63 fatalities have been confirmed as of October 1, with hundreds injured and thousands displaced. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier reported 26 deaths in its initial situational report, underscoring the evolving nature of casualty validation.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recorded over 722 aftershocks within 24 hours of the main quake, with the number rising to nearly 1,000 by October 1. Several aftershocks were strong enough to be felt across Cebu and neighboring islands. PHIVOLCS has warned that aftershocks may continue for weeks.
Relief and Response Efforts
Emergency shelters have been established in Bogo City and Daanbantayan to accommodate displaced families, while medical teams from the Department of Health and the Philippine Red Cross have been deployed to provide urgent care in the hardest-hit areas. To address immediate needs, food, water, and hygiene kits are being distributed to priority barangays. At the same time, structural assessments are ongoing to ensure the safety of public and private buildings, especially as aftershocks continue to be recorded across Cebu.
How the Public Can Help
The Provincial Government and partner organizations are appealing for urgent assistance. Here are ways the public can contribute:
1. Financial Support
- Cash Donations may be coursed through:
- Cebu Provincial Government Trust Fund (Landbank of the Philippines)
- Philippine Red Cross official donation channels
- Accredited NGOs such as GMA Kapuso Foundation, Angat Buhay, and Rise Against Hunger PH
- Digital Transfers: GCash, PayMaya, and bank transfers are being accepted by partner NGOs for faster mobilization of funds.
2. In-Kind Donations
- Drop-off Points: Cebu Provincial Capitol, Cebu City Hall, and designated parish centers.
- Priority Needs: bottled water, ready-to-eat food, rice, tents, mats, blankets, hygiene kits, medicines, flashlights, batteries, and power banks.
3. Volunteer Opportunities
- Relief Packing: Volunteers are welcome at the Cebu Capitol grounds and partner universities.
- Medical Assistance: Doctors, nurses, and paramedics may coordinate with the PDRRMO and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
- Transport Support: Vehicle owners may assist in delivering relief goods to remote barangays.
- Community Organizing: Civic groups and student organizations are encouraged to help manage evacuation centers and provide psychosocial support.
4. Blood Donation
- Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (Cebu City) and other Red Cross blood centers are urgently calling for donors to replenish supplies for quake victims.
5. Information Sharing
- Share verified updates from official government and NGO channels.
- Avoid spreading unverified reports that may cause panic.
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