Funds for quake victims now at P3.8M

CEBU, Philippines — The total aid fund for victims of the earthquake in northern Cebu now stands at ?3,870,096.72 after the Cebu City Government offered to match donations peso-for-peso.

As of October 3, 2025, Cebu City residents and donors have contributed ?1,935,048.36 in cash donations. This doubles with the city’s pledge to match every peso donated.

The Cebu City Government has committed to match up to ?20 million in donations to help accelerate recovery efforts in the province.

“Magtinabangay ta, Cebu. Let’s share our blessings and show that in times of crisis, we are one family,” said Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival who, along with Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña and the City Council, expressed gratitude to donors and volunteers.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in coordination with the Capitol Fire Team and private volunteer doctors, has delivered medical assistance and clean drinking water to quake-hit families as part of the city’s ongoing OplanTabangsa Norte saSugbo.

Following structural checks within Cebu City, the local government also dispatched engineers and youth volunteers to Bogo City to begin Rapid Damage Assessment on October 3.

The team includes private volunteer engineers who are working alongside city personnel to assess infrastructure damage and guide safe rebuilding efforts.

Donations --both cash and in-kind--continue to be accepted. Details on how to contribute are available through the Cebu City Government’s official channels.

Fivedays after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake devastated northern Cebu, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has ramped up its disaster response operations by deploying mobile kitchens and water tanks, distributing hot meals and family food packs, and setting up family tents for displaced residents.

On Friday, October 3, DSWD’s Mobile Kitchen and Water Tank were mobilized in Bogo City, serving hot meals and clean drinking water to quake-hit families. The units will continue to operate throughout the day to ensure food and water supply in affected areas.

DSWD-7 said that these mobile facilities bring essential relief services directly to the people, especially those who need them most and that the effort strengthens immediate response in communities grappling with shortages.

Volunteers from both the government and private sector also joined forces to load family food packs onto five mini dump trucks provided by the Cebu Provincial Government.

It added that on October 2, an estimated 5,000 family food packs were distributed to affected LGUs in northern Cebu and on October 3 at least 8,000 more food packs for areas facing food scarcity.

Despite heavy rains, the DSWD 7 Quick Response Team continued its operations, ensuring timely delivery of food and water to quake survivors.

DSWD-7 added that it remains in close coordination with local government units to assess needs and sustain the delivery of essential services across northern Cebu in the coming days. — (FREEMAN)