Cebu acquires first-ever Sea Ambulance

CEBU— Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro introduces the first-ever Sea Ambulance, a landmark initiative to enhance Cebu’s capacity for quick and efficient emergency response, especially in island municipalities.

The acquisition of the sea ambulance was part of Baricuatro’s campaign dream for health access and timely rescue operations in Cebu, most especially for those living in island towns like Camotes and Bantayan Islands. 

“With this Sea Ambulance, it ensures that patients and victims from remote and island areas can receive immediate medical attention and be transported swiftly to nearby hospitals,” she said. 

This pioneering project was made possible through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) that also included the turned over of two fishing boats to the Province of Cebu from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). 

The boats were subsequently given to the local governments of Danao City and Medellin to support the livelihood recovery and strengthen coastal resilience among fisherfolk in those areas. 

These programs reflect Baricuatro’s priority to ensure that health, safety, and livelihood go hand in hand in building a stronger and more resilient Cebu. 

Meanwhile, Baricuatro continues to visit the wakes of earthquake victims in Purok Libas (Hacienda Filomena) in Barangay Binabag, Bogo City and extended her sympathies and condolences to the families.

Since day one, Baricuatro has been at ground zero making sure that immediate and essential needs are delivered to the survivors the soonest possible time. (Photos: Capitol PIO)

Gov. Baricuatro meets with civic groups, communities in Cebu

CEBU— Governor Pamela Baricuatro met with different civic groups in Cebu to strengthen partnerships in ongoing relief, recovery, and community-building efforts for earthquake-affected areas.

The discussion focused on: Coordinating volunteer initiatives; mobilizing resources efficiently; ensuring aid reaches the hardest-hit communities and long-term civic involvement in rebuilding resilience. 

“True strength comes from collaboration between government and people’s organizations working hand in hand for Cebu,” Baricuatro said. 

In another development, Baricuatro with her provincial team visited on day 97, Barangay Kantubaon, Tabuelan town where several families and government employees were among those most affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake. 

She saw the damaged 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 that were either partially or totally destroyed, she said that many residents are still 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, fearful to return indoors as aftershocks continue.

“We will continue to attend to the needs of the people, assist them until they are able to rebuild their homes, their lives, their communities. Let’s continue helping one another, Cebu. Together, we will rise again,” the governor told people in the area. 

She assured them of the provincial government’s continued support in rebuilding their community. (Photos: FB/Capitol PIO)

Baricuatro issues travel advisory that it is safe to travel to Cebu

CEBU PROVINCE—Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued a travel advisory informing and calling the traveling public that is safe to come to Cebu, especially to the central and southern parts of the Island, borne out travelers’ fears to come to Cebu after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the province of September 30.

“While the northern Cebu area, particularly Bogo City and the towns of San Remigio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Tabuelan, and Sogod, were affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu last Wednesday night, we would like to inform the traveling public that it is safe to come to Cebu, especially to the central and southern reaches of the island,” the advisory reads.

It is also business as usual at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City and at the ports of Cebu, particularly in Cebu City, so that visitors continue to come and go without any inconvenience that resulted from the earthquake, Baricuatro added.

 “We advise visitors to stay informed while traveling to Cebu by monitoring the local news and to seek guidance only from official sources, like the Cebu Provincial Government and concerned government agencies, particularly the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs),” it reads.

The governor enjoins the public to coordinate with your travel agency, your travel provider, or with the MCIA and the Cebu Port Authority, for up-to-date and real-time information.  She also advised everyone to reach out to the Cebu Provincial Government for further information with these number: (+6332) 888-2328, locals 1130 and 1133 (Provincial Tourism Office), during office hours.

Trybe Co-Living, a fresh urban lifestyle living in Cebu

CEBU CITY – Cebu joined the Co-Living experience with the opening and blessings of the Trybe Co-Living on October 3, 2025 at the heart of M.P. Yap corner Gov. M. Roa Streets, Capitol Site, Cebu City with its vibrant colorful ambiance of a building, a fresh urban lifestyle living in Cebu.

Charlton Cokaliong, Founder and President of Bayfront Hotel Cebu and the new Trybe said that Co-Living movement gained momentum in Southeast Asia in the 2010’s especially in densely populated cities with the demand for affordable yet flexible housing, and a desire for community among young professionals.

Unlike traditional rentals, co-living spaces offer private, fully furnished rooms, complemented with shared spaces designed to foster connection and collaboration.  The concept is tailored for city dwellers with modern needs, Cokaliong said at the opening event.

“With flexible leases that are inclusive of utilities and cleaning fees, as well as curated social events and a stylish co-working space, Trybe provides an affordable, hassle-free lifestyle ideal for professionals, digital nomads, and city dwellers seeking community,” Cokaliong shared.

Trybe is rooted in the diverse business experience of Charlton Cokaliong who ventured into hospitality by launching Bayfront Hotel Cebu, which has since expanded to two properties—one in the North Reclamation Area, and another in Capitol Site with a total of 336 rooms, serving both business travelers and tourists.

“Entering the co-living market through Trybe allows us to diversify our hospitality portfolio, while responding to the evolving needs of today’s urban dwellers. Building on this foundation, Trybe embraces a community-driven, flexible urban lifestyle—offering residents a place to live, connect, and grow together,” he added.

                             Trybe Co-Living: A Fresh Urban Lifestyle

Located across Bayfront Hotel at the central neighborhood of Capitol Site in Cebu City, Trybe Co-Living offers residents a thoughtfully designed space to live, work and socialize.  Guests may choose between the fully furnished Micro Queen priced at P1,488 and Micro Twin rooms at P1,888.  These rooms are suited for solo professionals, couples or friends.

Cokaliong said that what sets Trybe apart is the commitment to privacy, rooms are limited to two occupants, unlike many co-living spaces where rooms may accommodate up to six people. This ensures residents’ comfort, without sacrificing the sense of community.

More than the rooms, Trybe also offers shared facilities that help create a vibrant lifestyle:  Cafe Trybe on the second floor serves as a social hub for coffee, meals, and informal gatherings.  Co-working spaces provide quiet and collaborative areas ideal for productivity.

Recreation zones featuring billiards, air hockey, and foosball encourage relaxation and social interaction.  A 24-hour front desk is available to support residents anytime.  Its central Cebu location means shorter commutes and easy access to business districts, cultural hubs, lifestyle centers, and medical facilities.

Trybe represents more than a place to stay; it offers a lifestyle focused on community, balance, and belonging.  As Cebu continues to develop as a center for business, education, culture, and healthcare, Trybe arrives as a timely and vibrant housing solution. While grounded in Bayfront’s hospitality heritage, Trybe charts its own course—setting a new benchmark for modern, connected urban living.

For inquiries and reservations, connect with the Trybe at www.trybe.ph. telephone numbers: +63 32 238 1000 & +63 917 835 1000 and email at connect@trybe.ph. (Photos: MBCNewman) 

                                                                                                                                                          

 

A CTU computer engineering student develops an Earthquake Relief Map Guide

CEBU PROVINCE-- Charles Zoilo A. Yana, 21, of Tayud, Liloan, Cebu and a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE) student from the Cebu Technological University (CTU) Danao Campus has developed a crowdsourced mapping website to help responders and donors locate earthquake-stricken communities in Northern Cebu.

In a Facebook post of the Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Danao Campus, Yana explained that the Northern Cebu Earthquake Relief Map Guide works similarly to Google Maps, though not fully precise, as it relies on free online tools and available application programming interfaces (APIs).

Yana said that the guide map allows users to pin exact locations and share key details, enabling volunteers and relief groups to coordinate assistance more effectively. Currently, the relief map has recorded more than 500 pinned locations, highlighting its growing role in relief coordination.

"We have two options to pin locations: one is to search the place there could be, suggest and recommend dropdowns or just simply enter and it will try to locate the location. Second is manually, by clicking that green icon on the lower right corner, users can just zoom and navigate or find the nearest barangay," Yana explained this at his presentation launch on Thursday, October 2, days after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Cebu.

"We've created this website: https://northerncebu-reliefmap.netlify.app/ The goal is to help highlight areas—especially those in the mountains—that haven’t received enough attention yet. This map can guide donors and volunteers who want to visit affected communities, making it easier to locate them," he announced this on his Facebook page Charles Zoi.

“The project is entirely self-funded and not school-related, but was built purely out of my initiative to assist affected families, but launching a project for the first time was very challenging,” he said.

He admitted that his confidence in his project is not that high, he was hoping for other developers to help him also. Yana added that he pushed for forward with support from his partner, who tested the platform and helped promote it.

“Together, we contacted local government units, like Danao, and Facebook influencers to help amplify the tool’s reach,” he said, adding that he noted some limitations—since affected residents in the north are mostly offline and lack devices.  The Relief Guide Map depends entirely on crowdsourcing from people with relatives or information about those in need. 

CTU-Danao officials express their pride in Yana’s innovation and reaffirms the university’s commitment to developing socially responsible and community-driven technologists, its Facebook post reads. (Photos: Facebook grabs from CTU/Charles Zoi)

 

 

 

 

 

PBBM allocates P200M aid for quake-hit Cebu, orders ‘tent city’ setup in Bogo

CEBU PROVINCE-- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr allocated P200M in aid for Cebu Province and other quake-hit towns in Northern Cebu and also ordered a “tent city” setup in Bogo City to temporarily shelter residents who were displaced by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu.

The President visited Bogo City today, October 2 with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro to personally oversee relief efforts and expressed his concern on the widespread damage in infrastructure, that made residents to remain outdoors for fear of returning to damaged buildings including evacuation centers.

PBBM and Baricuatro assessed the devastation caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in northern Cebu, starting at the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo where they were met with patients and medical personnel, and they assured them that healthcare services remain accessible despite the damage.

To support recovery efforts, Malacañang has allocated ₱180 million in aid for Cebu Province and its quake-hit LGUs: Cebu Province with ₱50M; Bogo City-₱20M; San Remigio-₱20M; Sogod-₱20M; Bantayan-₱10M; Daanbantayan-₱10M; Madridejos-₱10M; Medellin-₱10M; Santa Fe -₱10M; Tabogon-₱10M; and Tabuelan-P10M.

PBBM said this funding hopes to fast-track relief, rehabilitation, and rebuilding for affected communities and based on a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall, the team decided to put up a “Tent City” because people express fear to go back to their houses as aftershocks are still felt.

“Minamadali na lang natin… para naman may masilungan sila dito. Dahil marami, tama rin naman, natatakot na bumalik sa building. Mas gusto nila dito sila sa labas. Yun ang kanilang kagustuhan, ‘yun ang ating susundan. So, that’s why ang proposal is the tent city,” the President said after presiding over the situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall that also sustained major damage during the earthquake.

Marcos added that the government would tap the Philippine Red Cross to deploy its medical field tents, which were used at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as staging and isolation wards and ensure the tent facilities could provide basic services to the evacuees.

“Ang gagawin natin, kukuha tayo ng mga tent na malalaki at itatayo natin. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa ating mga LGU executives, ito 'yung mga tent ng Red Cross na ginamit noong COVID. At ito ay mabilis itayo at kahit umulan hindi problema. Kaya 'yun ang dadalhin namin dito sa ngayon. Titiyakin natin na may food supply, may water supply, may kuryente kung kailangan mag-genset. Kung anuman ang pangangailangan ng tao ay titiyakin natin na mayroon,” the President said.

Marcos also checked on the SM Cares Village in Barangay Polambato , a Yolanda resettlement site where several units collapsed and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer, whose bell tower and facilities were destroyed.

He pledged immediate relief, temporary shelter, and long-term rehabilitation for the families affected. The President assured the earthquake-affected communities of continued government support in the relief and recovery efforts. (Photos: FB Grabs/RTVM/PIA/Capitol)

 

Cebu Earthquake Updates: Volunteers, rescue, relief continue to pour in Cebu

CEBU PROVINCE—The Cebu Provincial government through the Provincial Emergency Command Center (PECC) at the Heritage Park, Capitol Compound, accepts all forms of donations, volunteers, goods and transportation for those affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Cebu on September 30.

 

About 100 medical students from various universities in Cebu, health workers, and even ordinary citizens flocked to Capitol today, October 1 to lend their hands and some have already been deployed to Northern Cebu to help in relief and medical operations.

The surge of support reflects the Cebuanos’ spirit of bayanihan in times of crisis, as more donations continue to arrive at the Capitol.   Actress Zsa Zsa Padilla was spotted at the Capitol command center this afternoon to donate ready-to-eat food packs showing solidarity with the Cebuano people during difficult times and hardships.

A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office VII arrived at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City to assess the situation.  Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the Disasters Response Management Group (DRMG) with DSWD 7 Regional Director, Shalane Lucero assured the community of the Department’s support. 

They pledged funeral assistance and family food packs to help displaced families recover from the disaster. They assured Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro of more support such as financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the deployment of the Mobile Kitchen.

DSWD-FO7 already deployed the fleet that include the Mobile Command Center, Mobile Kitchen, Water Tanker, and Water Filtration System, and has also activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) to address the impacts of the powerful earthquake that affected the provinces of Cebu and Bohol.

The DSWD-FO7 has already prepared a total of Php 41,007,008.07 worth of relief resources, which includes 52,899 family food packs (FFPs) and 12,319 non-food items.  It has also a stand by funds of Php 2,676,561.54 with an additional Php 38,330,446.53 worth of food and non-food items prepositioned for immediate response.

DSWD FO7 continues to work closely with local government units (LGUs) across Cebu and Bohol to ensure that affected families and individuals receive the necessary assistance during times of disaster.

CPDRRMO updates on casualties and damage; 56 deaths, 201 injured

According to the latest updates from the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO) as of 2:20 PM, October 1, several aftershocks have been reported following the main shock and are expected to continue over the coming hours or days.

In the northern part of Cebu, especially Bogo and San Remegio, Tabuelan, and Daanbantayan, several damages to infrastructures, casualties, and injuries were reported. Deaths toll were now updated to 56 with Bogo at 28; San Remigio at 11; Tabuelan, 1; Medellion at 10; Sogod, 1 and Tabogon at 5. 

There are now 201 people injured; with Bogo City at 173, Daanbantayan at 4, Catmon 5, Tabuelan 5, San Francisco Camotes-14.  Five houses were damaged in Asturias, Bogo, Tabogon and Sogos towns.

CPDRRMO bared that 11 building were damaged including the Collapsed sports complex in San Remigio; McDonalds, IL Curso, SRP heavily damaged; Jollibee, Mango Ave, Cebu City heavily damaged; McDonalds, Bogo City collapsed; Bogo City Hall partially damaged.

Vice Governor Office, Capitol was also partially damaged; Public market, San Remigio partially damaged; Municipal Hall, San Remigio damaged and Public market, Mandaue City was partially damaged.   Bogo Bus Terminal was severely damaged and Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College had visible damage.

Churches in Santa Rosa Delima, Daanbantayan, San Isidro Labrador and San Ignacio de Loyola Parish in Kawit, Medellin were severely damaged. The San Juan Nepumoceno Parish, and Capelinha de Fatima in San Remigio were partially damaged. 

There are four roads and 11 bridges that are still not passable in Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Tuburan, Tabogon, Sogod, Borbon and in Balamban due to surface cracks, fallen rocks and landslides.

Initial needs include food and water, health and medical; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and search, rescue and retrieval operations are ongoing for Bogo City, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Tabuelan towns. (Photos: DSWD7-FB/Capitol PIO)