(Photo courtesy of DSWD Eastern Visayas/Facebook)
TACLOBAN CITY – Local government units and agencies from Eastern Visayas have mobilized aid for northern Cebu following the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City and nearby municipalities on September 30.
Ormoc City delivered 500 sacks of rice, bottled water, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits to the quake-hit towns of Tabogon and San Remegio.
Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin Jr. said the assistance reflects both solidarity and gratitude for Cebu’s past generosity.
“Ormocanons will always remember how Cebuanos helped us in our time of need, so now it is our turn to ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters,” Locsin said in a statement on Friday, October 3, recalling Cebu’s support when Ormoc was struck by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake in July 2017.
The Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas also distributed 450 food packs containing rice, noodles, coffee, canned goods, milk, water, and hygiene items. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) deployed a mobile kitchen capable of preparing arroz caldo for 300 people, staffed by nine personnel.
On October 2, a 90-member contingent from the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division was also sent to Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter, to reinforce ongoing relief operations.
They brought with them a second mobile kitchen and a water filtration system to address immediate needs for food and clean drinking water.
Authorities in Cebu continue to assess the full extent of damage and displacement caused by the earthquake, while relief efforts from government and non-government groups are expected to intensify in the coming days.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
