ILOILO CITY —Iloilo Province has reached out to quake-stricken Cebu, releasing P5 million in financial assistance to support recovery efforts after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rocked Bogo City on September 30 and was felt across much of the Visayas.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. confirmed on Wednesday, October 8, that he signed the allocation order a day earlier, emphasizing that Iloilo’s response was part of its continuing effort to assist other provinces in times of crisis.
“This comes from our donations, and it will be ₱5 million in financial assistance for the Province of Cebu,” Defensor said.
The powerful tremor was felt in Western Visayas, including Iloilo, prompting precautionary class and work suspensions. No major damage was reported in the province, but the event renewed public concern about earthquake preparedness in the region.
Defensor said the province’s act of giving was rooted in cooperation among local governments.
“Helping Cebu is part of our commitment to stand with other provinces in the Philippines, especially during calamities,” he said.
The ₱5-million donation will be sourced from the realigned P20-million intelligence fund, which the provincial government redirected in its 2025 budget to strengthen its donation and disaster response programs.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the realignment on December 17, 2024 to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of government funds while retaining support for peace and order initiatives.
Iloilo operates under a P5.977-billion budget this year—P4.849 billion for the General Fund and P1.128 billion for the Local Economic Enterprise Fund.
The province’s show of solidarity came just days before another major earthquake, a magnitude 7.4 tremor in Davao Oriental on October 10, highlighting the growing importance of regional preparedness and cooperation in disaster response.
