Bogo quake victims get assistance from Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — The victims of the September -2025 earthquake in Bogo City received a total of P32.15 million in financial assistance from the Cebu Provincial Government during the distribution held yesterday, June 3, 2026.

Coming from 29 barangays, 3,215 affected families received P10,000 in cash aid each.

A total of 1,687 individuals lined up early in the morning for the first batch of distribution at the Don Celestino Martinez Sr. Sports Complex, while another 1,528 claimed their cash during the afternoon session.

Aside from the cash assistance, each beneficiary also received 10 kilograms of rice under the “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program of the national government.

The Provincial Agriculture Office also provided agricultural, fishery, and livestock inputs to Bogo City to support the rehabilitation of the sector.

The assistance included 1,000 boxes of assorted vegetable seeds, 500 grafted calamansi seedlings, 20 fish pots, 500 packs of mango fertilizer, and 50 bags of special hybrid yellow corn seeds.

The city also received 10 carabaos and 10 goats from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) to support the livestock sector.

This being the third wave of cash distribution, beneficiaries observed improved crowd management compared to the first payout conducted for residents of Medellin and Daanbantayan on May 20.

It can be recalled that Baricuatro personally intervened to manage the crowd after a surge during the payout left elderly beneficiaries caught in the commotion.

Due to the incident, Baricuatro said coordination gaps needed to be addressed in future payout schedules.

According to Juliet Salonoy, 50, a resident of Barangay Dakit, Bogo City, the queuing process was “smooth” and fast, taking only about ten minutes.

“So far, maayo ra gyud. Ang nakadugay ra kato rang tungod sa program,” she said.

Salonoy expressed her gratitude to the provincial government, saying the cash aid would be used to repair their house, which was totally damaged by the quake.

She shared that even now, they are still renting a house near their former home, where some of their belongings remain.

Salonoy said that regardless of the amount, the cash aid would be a big help, adding that it eased their family's financial burden.

“Since naay aid, mas gaan, mas nalipay mi kay nakafeel mi nga naa ra diay atong government nga ningsupport sa sitwasyong nahitabo sa amo,” she added.

In her message, an emotional Baricuatro assured the Bogohanons that the provincial government would remain consistent in providing assistance, especially in times of crisis.

“Inyong provincial government naa ra jud nagpaluyo kaninyo,” she said.

For her part, Bogo City Mayor Maria Cielo “Mayel” Martinez expressed her gratitude to the Capitol and said that the cash aid would help residents recover as they gradually rebuild their damaged homes, eight months after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck northern Cebu.

“Dako kaayo nig tabang sa ilaha nga makapa-paspas sa ilang pag-recover and pag-rebuild,” said Martinez during an interview.

Another wave of cash assistance distribution will be held on Thursday, June 4, in the Municipality of Tabogon. — Jona Mariel Apurado and Jhiezel Jane Camarillo, CNU Interns/IHM (FREEMAN)