Cebu in a state of calamity, death toll at 61 as assessment and rescue OPNS continue

CEBU PROVINCE—Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 57 and a Provincial Board resolution placed the Province of Cebu under a state of calamity after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit northern Cebu in the evening of September 30 with Bogo City having the most damage while assessment, rescue and relief continue to pour in.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO), in a situation report released to media today, October 1, death toll is now at 61 with Bogo City at 27; San Remigio, 22; Medellin, 10; Sogod, one and Tabuelan, one; and at least 28 individuals were injured from the quake.

Baricuatro is now in Bogo City to establish a joint operations center, leading relief and emergency efforts by providing food, medicine, and equipment not only for the city but also for neighboring towns affected by the earthquake.  She has also set up a temporary command center at the Capitol to coordinate with national agencies, including the Office of the President, ensuring a streamlined emergency response.

“I call on the local government executives to be pro-active and attend to your people ad their needs. We are not yet safe from the earthquake and its aftershocks and storm surge. Let’s continue to be vigilant while I called on all government offices and the national government for reinforcements,” the governor said, in her message last night while setting up the provincial emergency operation center at the Capitol.

Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan and Provincial Administrator Ace Durano led the advance team while Baricuatro conducted an aerial inspection over northern Cebu with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) here.

Classes from all level in the province have been suspended and for safety of Capitol employees, office work and services are also suspended until further notice.   Asst. Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said that the structural engineer from the Provincial Engineering Office will assess the Executive Building and all other structures inside the compound.

Medical teams and relief aid arrive in Bogo City

Medical response teams are now in Bogo City to deliver immediate assistance to affected residents. Among those deployed included the Sotto Trauma Team led by Dr. Aquino; Provincial Health Office (PHO) Team led by Dr. Arsenal; Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) led by Dr. Don Rosello.

Additional medical teams are arriving within the next hours from Argao District Hospital, Barili District Hospital, Ricardo L. Maningo Memorial Hospital (Camotes) and the neighboring Province of Bohol will also send medical staff to support Cebu’s operations.

Meanwhile, South Cotabato Governor has confirmed to Governor Baricuatro that relief goods, hygiene kits, and a medical team are already on their way from General Santos City to Cebu. The Cebu Provincial Government continues to coordinate with partner provinces and agencies to ensure timely aid and medical support for the people of Bogo and other affected areas.

Situation reports as of 8:00 am, October 1 from CPDRRMO

CPDRRMO reported that the 6.9 magnitude earthquake not only damaged key infrastructure but also triggered widespread power outages across several towns and cities including Asturias experienced blackouts due to transformer explosions.

Bogo City and the towns of Carmen, Catmon, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Sogod, Tabuelan, and Tuburan remain affected.  Telecommunications are also reportedly down in Bogo, Daanbantayan, and San Remigio and 52 passengers were stranded in Carmen and Consolacion due to disrupted transportation, the report said.

The quake also caused surface cracks, bridge damage, and structural collapses in multiple areas, including Bogo City, where several key structures were severely affected, including a fast food chain, the city hall, the terminal, and the port.

In Daanbantayan, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima was totally damaged. In San Remigio, the town's sports complex and the San Juan Nepomuceno Parish collapsed while the Capelinha de Fatima Replica was also damage, and operations at Hagnaya Port are suspended.

The towns of Borbon, Asturias, Malabuyoc, Danao City, Liloan, and Medellin have also declared work suspensions in government offices as the CPDRRMO declared red alert status and mobilized all emergency responders and personnel as damage assessment and rescue operations continue. (Photos: FB-Capitol PIO/CPDRRMO)