President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed that the national government would continue assisting Cebuanos recovering from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on September 30.
During his visit to Bogo City—the epicenter of the quake—Marcos checked on the condition of families still staying at temporary shelters and inspected ongoing recovery operations.
“We are back here to revisit the hospital and the two Tent Cities to inspect whether we have already delivered the necessary aid to the victims—those who were displaced and lost their homes during the recent earthquake. That’s why we’re here,” he said.
The President noted that all affected residents whose houses were damaged now have temporary shelters. “I’m happy to report that everyone whose homes were damaged now has a place to stay, even if it’s just a tent for now,” he added.
Marcos also assured that government efforts will continue, saying, “For now I think we are okay. We will keep working to make sure everybody is okay, everybody is healthy, and everybody has what they need.”
He expressed gratitude to all responders, volunteers, and agencies that helped in the aftermath of the disaster. “I would like to express my gratitude to all our first responders, volunteers, and government agencies. The response has been commendable. I believe we can take pride in assuring our people that whenever there is a need, the government will always be there,” Marcos said.
The President also praised the Philippine Red Cross for setting up makeshift swimming pools for children in the Tent City, noting how such initiatives have helped restore a sense of normalcy. “The children were understandably shaken by the earthquake—they lost their homes and had to relocate here. But at least now, you can see them laughing and playing again. That means a lot for the mental well-being of our young people,” he said.
Marcos also inspected the modular shelters at Bayanihan Village in San Remigio, which were turned over by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to affected families. He later visited the Cebu Provincial Hospital and Tent City in Bogo City.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake was caused by an “on-land extension of the newly named Bogo Bay Fault.” The disaster left 79 people dead, 559 injured, and caused widespread damage to properties.
