A magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the central Philippines province of Cebu and nearby areas on Sept. 30, 2025 has affected 80 tourism establishments and disrupted the employment, income and working conditions of more than 711 tourism workers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in an advisory.
The tremor also forced the evacuation of hundreds of tourists and led to the closure of several cultural and historical sites.
Tourism workers’ livelihoods were severely impacted, with the DOT’s regional office confirming that 711 employees in Cebu and surrounding provinces have been affected.
Among the accommodation establishments, Nustar in Cebu City sustained damage, leading to the evacuation of 337 guests. Bayfront Hotel Cebu – North Reclamation and Radisson Blu also reported damage.
DOT Region 7 said that out of 15 reported stranded tourists, eight have checked out and travelled to Cebu City. Six guests remain in Bantayan Island, opting to extend their stay until ferry operations resume, while one foreign guest remains in Bogo City, where the DOT-7 team is providing assistance.
Several tourist sites, including historical churches, were reported closed to the public. These include Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, Daanbantayan, which suffered heavy structural loss, estimated at 70 percent to 80 percent; Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Bantayan, with partial damage to its heritage structure; and San Isidro Labrador Church, Tabogon, whose facade and roof collapsed.
In Cebu City, affected cultural sites include the Kabilin Center, Museo Sugbo, National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, Yap–Sandiego Ancestral House, and Casa Gorordo.
The DOT’s regional office has deployed teams to assist affected areas and distribute essentials, such as medical supplies and drinking water, to accommodation establishments.
The earthquake was also felt in other provinces. The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental announced the suspension of classes and work in government offices on October 1 to allow for structural inspections.
The DOT said its regional offices are continuing to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), disaster response units, and tourism stakeholders to ensure the safety of tourists and to facilitate rapid assessment and restoration of affected sites.
