Quake damage reaches P3 billion

Local

THE extent of destruction from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu has swelled to P3 billion, with the fourth district alone accounting for the figure, the Cebu provincial government reported on Thursday, October 2.

Cebu Public Information Officer Ainjeliz “AJ” Orong said the amount represents infrastructure damage across the city of Bogo and the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

The estimate excludes losses in other quake-hit towns outside the district, including Sogod and Borbon.

She told MyTV Cebu that the computation covers all infrastructure projects only, including all buildings, roads, and ports.

Schools have also been placed under urgent inspection following orders from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Vince Dizon, who directed that classrooms be cleared for use as evacuation centers while families remain displaced along the roads.

The updated figure is higher than the P2 billion initially reported for damaged roads and bridges in seven northern towns.

That earlier estimate, presented on Wednesday, Oct. 1, did not yet factor in hospitals and schools.

Dizon, who inspected quake-hit areas, said the DPWH is checking the structural integrity of hospitals to ensure they are safe before beginning repairs.

He also mobilized DPWH-7 to bring in contractors from Cebu and nearby provinces to speed up rehabilitation.

Patients from Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City have already been transferred to other facilities as a precaution.

Parallel to infrastructure efforts, government relief continues.

Social Welfare and Development Sec. Rex Gatchalian confirmed that food packs and relief items have reached northern Cebu while assessments are being carried out to determine financial assistance for families.

Defense Sec. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, who also conducted an initial survey of the damage, identified food, potable water, and power restoration as immediate needs to stabilize services in the quake-stricken towns.

Meanwhile, the province assured that relief operations are being conducted across northern Cebu, not just in Bogo.

Atty. Resti Arnaiz, head of the Capitol’s command center, clarified on Wednesday, Oct. 1, that several trucks loaded with relief goods were already on their way to other affected municipalities.

He explained that operations were temporarily paused at 7 p.m. but would resume at 5 a.m. on Thursday.

Arnaiz apologized to those who have not yet received relief packs, admitting that there were difficulties in contacting personnel on the ground from other local government units, while Bogo City has its own command center.(MyTVCebu)