The Philippine government and its international partners continue to lead relief operations after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck northern Cebu on Tuesday, September 30, which killed and injured dozens, and left hundreds homeless across the province.
The United States and Canada joined relief efforts by offering assistance and expressing solidarity.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson extended condolences and affirmed the US Embassy’s readiness to support Philippine-led relief operations.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson extended condolences and affirmed the US Embassy’s readiness to support Philippine-led relief operations.
Embassies from India, Germany, Japan, Australia, the Czech Republic, and the European Union also issued messages of support and sympathy.
More efforts
Meanwhile, Philippine president Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies on Wednesday, October 1, to respond immediately. He sent Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to Cebu to oversee the situation on the ground.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which Teodoro chairs, now directs rescue, relief, and recovery operations with support from local governments.
In northern Cebu, local officials, health workers, and volunteers distribute food, treat the injured, and shelter displaced families.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro called on the private sector and the public to help provide hot meals and ready-to-eat food, especially for communities with limited access.
During the Senate Committee on Finance’s budget hearing, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the Department of Health (DOH) mobilized its Quick Response Fund (QRF) and coordinated with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to support earthquake victims.
The DOH allocated P166 million from its QRF to purchase medicines, surgical supplies, and repair damaged health facilities in Cebu and Masbate.
Herbosa also deployed psychosocial teams from the National Center for Mental Health and prepared to take over local health services if needed.
PhilHealth launched a no-balance billing policy to cover medical expenses for affected patients in private hospitals, following the model it used after Typhoon Yolanda.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.