President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday mobilized all concerned government agencies to provide immediate assistance to communities affected by the earthquake that shook Cebu province late Tuesday evening.
In a statement released on his social media account, the chief executive commiserated with those who lost loved ones.
“To my fellow countrymen, last night, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, with its epicenter in the ocean, approximately 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City,” Mr. Marcos wrote.
“My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and my prayers include the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake,” he added.
Responding to the President’s directive, the Department of Health deployed doctors, nurses, and staff of state-run Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) to nearby areas, including hard-hit Bogo City.
Apart from immediate relief, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH has rolled out long-term measures to aid Cebu earthquake victims, including expanded PhilHealth coverage and deployment of mental health teams.
“I have already asked the PhilHealth president to release a directive similar to the one issued during Typhoon Haiyan, ensuring that all earthquake patients are covered under a no-balance billing policy so casualties can seek treatment even in private hospitals,” the health chief said.
For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it has mobilized its land, air, and sea assets to conduct search, rescue, and relief operations.
Some 158 soldiers from the Army’s 53rd Engineering Brigade, as well as aircraft, have been dispatched to heavily affected areas, while more units remain on standby for rapid deployment, the AFP said in a statement.
Likewise, Philippine National Police personnel were tasked to secure establishments and vital infrastructure that may have been compromised as a result of the strong earthquake to ensure public safety.
“Our personnel on the ground were among the first responders, and we assure the people of Cebu that we will extend all the necessary assistance— from securing affected establishments to attending to the needs of the local residents,” acting PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said.
Amid the chaos in the earthquake’s aftermath, the Department of Trade and Industry has imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in Cebu province.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said monitoring teams have been deployed to inspect markets, verify prices, and ensure an adequate supply of goods in affected communities.
“We recognize the heavy toll this disaster has brought to families. Beyond enforcing the price freeze, our priority is to keep prices affordable and supplies stable. DTI will be vigilant in protecting consumers from undue price increases,” she noted.
Similarly, the Department of Energy immediately implemented a 60-day price freeze on basic petroleum products, such as 11-kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, across the entire province of Cebu.
“Stability of fuel prices and availability of supply are vital in times of disaster. The Department is working closely with all partners to make sure that families and frontliners have access to the essential energy resources they need during relief and recovery operations,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.
For her part, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman urged government agencies to promptly activate their Quick Response Funds (QRF).
The QRF serves as an emergency standby facility designed to finance urgent relief and recovery initiatives, helping communities return to normalcy after disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.
“In moments like this, government aid must never be delayed. Agencies such as the DSWD, DPWH, and OCD have Quick Response Funds that can be tapped immediately to deliver assistance to those affected,” Pangandaman said.
As this developed, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency’s Central Visayas field office will cover the burial expenses and provide an additional P10,000 cash assistance to families of earthquake fatalities.
“The DSWD’s Field Office Central Visayas is now accounting for the number of casualties and their location. Our social workers will also talk to the concerned families to inform them that the DSWD will shoulder the burial expenses of their loved ones,” she added.
Meanwhile, other ranking government officials also expressed sympathy for Cebuanos affected by Tuesday’s earthquake.
In a statement, Vice President Sara Duterte said in Filipino: “We extend our prayers for the peace of the departed, the healing of the injured, and the speedy recovery of the communities affected by the tragedy.”
“The OVP will deliver assistance to our neighbors affected by the earthquake. This will be done through the OVP–Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor Satellite Office, OVP–Eastern Visayas Satellite Office, and OVP–Panay and Negros Islands Satellite Office,” she said.
The House of Representatives also extended sympathies to earthquake victims, while assuring that help is on its way.
“We have also communicated with representatives of the affected districts to support their efforts in delivering aid to their constituents,” House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said in a statement.
He added that the Chamber stands ready to help craft the necessary measures to assist those affected and to further strengthen the country’s preparedness against future disasters.
