Food, potable water, and temporary shelters remain the most urgent needs of residents displaced by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu, the provincial government reported.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in partnership with multiple government agencies rolled out an aid caravan for the benefit of communities in Cebu and Masbate hit by recent natural disasters.
This as local civic groups in Marilao, Bulacan called for a thorough investigation into the town’s flood control projects, which according to the group received more than half a billion pesos in funding since 2023.
In another development, more than 225,000 people have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo), according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Cebu officials said other immediate necessities included hygiene kits, medical supplies, water tankers, generators, and shelter materials such as modular tents.
The Provincial Health Office has deployed WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, along with nutrition and medical teams, to assist affected communities. The Provincial Emergency Operations Center at the Capitol continues to operate 24/7 to coordinate relief and response operations.
Among the hardest-hit areas were Bogo City, Medellin, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Sogod, and Borbon, while other municipalities such as Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, Catmon, Carmen, San Francisco, and Madridejos also reported heavy damage.
Classes have been suspended in all levels across at least 10 northern Cebu localities until further notice. Some schools have shifted to online learning after temporarily halting classes following the quake.
As of Sunday morning, donations have reached ₱7.9 million worth of relief goods and ₱66.4 million in cash.
To ensure faster and safer drop-offs, the provincial government has opened a donation hub at the Danao City boardwalk, where teams will sort them out prior to transport to affected areas.
“Due to heavy congestion in northern Cebu from volunteers and private donors, the Governor has urged the public to avoid traveling to the affected towns to keep roads clear for emergency and relief vehicles,” the Cebu government said.
The PCSO caravan consisted of 12 Patient Transport Vehicles, five dump trucks, six wing vans carrying medical, disaster, and relief goods for communities in Cebu and Masbate.
The PCSO and its partners have prepared and dispatched 18,220 Charitimba packs, 4,041 evacuation kits, 664 boxes of medicines, and 7,974 relief items from its Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs). The total value of aid has reached P50 million, excluding transportation costs.
“These are more than just numbers—they are symbols of solidarity. “Behind every pack and every delivery is the compassion of a nation that stands with its people,” PCSO general manager Melquiadeg Robles said in a statement.
The Cebu Caravan will travel by land to assist earthquake-affected areas in the province.
Despite the substantial budget, citizens say little to no progress has been seen in addressing the town’s persistent flooding problem.
“More than half a billion has been allocated for the town’s flood control projects since 2023. But, in reality, nothing has been done. We Marileños have been made to think it’s acceptable to endure a deluge as long as there’s aid from politicians,” Tindig Marilao said.
In a statement, the group criticized the apparent failure of local authorities to deliver meaningful results, echoing the sentiment: “Marilao is rich in water — but only when it floods.”
According to the agency’s latest situational report, 70,575 families or 225,557 individuals were affected across several regions. Of these, 3,940 families or 11,964 individuals sought shelter in 284 evacuation centers, while 2,997 families or 8,585 individuals received aid outside the centers.
The NDRRMC said no fatalities, injuries, or missing persons on account of storm Paolo have been reported.
Paolo brought heavy rains that triggered flooding in parts of Regions 1, 3, and Calabarzon, with 23 areas in Region 1 still submerged as of Sunday. The storm also affected 98 road sections and 34 bridges, with 27 roads and 32 bridges remaining impassable.
Power outages were reported in 53 cities and municipalities, though service has been restored in 23 of them. Sixteen seaports were also affected, causing trip cancellations, with two ports now back in operation.
As of Sunday, 176 passengers, 37 rolling cargoes, 32 vessels, and seven motor bancas were stranded due to rough sea conditions.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region, 13 houses were reported damaged.
The NDRRMC said a total of ₱389,566.10 worth of assistance was required for 829 affected families, with 550 families already provided with aid.
Paolo developed into a tropical depression on October 1, intensified into a typhoon on October 3, and later weakened into a severe tropical storm before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 4.
