Cebu gets P1.3 billion in recovery funds

MANILA, Philippines — More than a year after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu and Typhoon Tino battered parts of the province, the national government has released P1.365 billion to support ongoing rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial turnover of funds under the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP) at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace on November 5.

The funding will be used to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure and public facilities and address other disaster-related losses in affected communities.

Of the total allocation, P100 million was earmarked for the Cebu Provincial Government, while the remaining P1.265 billion was distributed among 24 cities and municipalities in the province.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the provincial government's allocation would help complete ongoing recovery projects, particularly the reconstruction of bridges damaged by the earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

Speaking during the ceremonial turnover, Baricuatro said the province had already repaired several bridges but still had unfinished rehabilitation projects.

"We have managed to fix some bridges. Although the amount that was given to us would really help us talaga to complete our recovery program," Baricuatro said.

She added that the P100 million would be used to reconstruct bridges that had yet to be completed.

"Some bridges na hindi pa natapos, so ito yung gagamitin namin for the reconstruction of some bridges," the governor said.

Baricuatro clarified that the P100 million was intended specifically for the provincial government and was separate from the assistance directly allocated to the affected local government units (LGUs).

"The province would be given P100 million. But this is only for the province kasi merong 24 LGUs affected by the earthquake and Bagyong Tino," she said.

"There's no room for corruption," Baricuatro said.

Among the local governments, Bogo City received the biggest single allocation at P180 million, intended for the rehabilitation of its city hall, health facilities and other government buildings damaged by the earthquake.

Liloan was allocated P115 million for the repair of damaged roads, bridges and education facilities.

Danao City received P75 million for the rehabilitation of bridges, roads and other government facilities.

Several other northern Cebu LGUs received P50 million each, including Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Daanbantayan, Compostela, Consolacion, Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon and Tabuelan.

The allocations for Borbon, Sogod, Daanbantayan and Medellin were primarily intended to address damage caused by the September 2025 earthquake, particularly to bridges and government facilities.

Catmon's P50 million allocation will cover road rehabilitation projects addressing damage caused by both the earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

Compostela will use its P50 million for the rehabilitation of bridges, roads, agricultural facilities and other government buildings damaged by Typhoon Tino.

Consolacion's allocation will cover bridges, education and health facilities, as well as resettlement-related projects.

San Remigio received two separate allocations totaling P100 million. One P50-million allocation covers the rehabilitation of bridges and the municipal hall, while the other is intended for repairs to public school facilities.

Tabogon was allocated P50 million for the rehabilitation of bridges, its municipal hall and other government buildings. Tabuelan received the same amount for roads and local government facilities.

Other LGUs were also included in the funding distribution, with allocations ranging from P10 million to P50 million.

Cebu City received P100 million for road and bridge rehabilitation following Typhoon Tino.

Talisay City and Toledo City each received P50 million. Talisay's allocation will cover bridges and health facilities, while Toledo's will fund the rehabilitation of roads, bridges and education facilities.

Mandaue City was allocated P50 million for resettlement and road rehabilitation, while San Francisco received P25 million for its municipal hall and other government buildings.

Asturias and Balamban each received P20 million for projects involving agriculture and local government facilities. Balamban's allocation will also cover bridge rehabilitation.

Pilar and Poro received P10 million each. Pilar's funding will cover bridges and local government facilities, while Poro's allocation is intended for the rehabilitation of local buildings and facilities.

Tudela also received P10 million for agricultural and local government facilities affected by Typhoon Tino.

The provincial government's P100-million allocation, meanwhile, is specifically earmarked for road rehabilitation following Typhoon Tino.

In his speech, Marcos said the release of funds underscored the national government's commitment to strengthening local governments and helping them respond to the needs of disaster-affected communities.

The President acknowledged the country's vulnerability to natural disasters, including typhoons, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, stressing the importance of cooperation between the national government and local authorities.

He said local governments were better positioned to identify the immediate needs of their constituents because they were familiar with the conditions and circumstances in their respective communities.

The national government has approved a total of P8.6 billion in DRRAP assistance for 306 heavily affected LGUs nationwide from 2024 to 2026.

Marcos also reminded local officials and those involved in implementing the rehabilitation projects to ensure that public funds were properly spent and reached their intended beneficiaries.

He warned against corruption, ghost projects and substandard rehabilitation work, emphasizing that the money was intended for disaster-affected Filipinos and should not be used for personal gain.

"The way forward is clear. Together, let us make sure that that recovery reaches every Filipino in need," the President said.

"Sama-sama nating itatayo muli ang ating mga komunidad, mas matatag at mas handa, tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas, kung saan walang maiiwan at walang mawawalan ng pag-asa," he added. (CEBU NEWS)