Relief operations are underway in Bogo City following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu, affecting at least 31,000 residents, according to Rex Ygot, head of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Ygot explained that search and rescue operations have concluded after all trapped individuals were retrieved.
“We are now in a relief operation. Na-lift na namin ‘yong SAR/HRR operations kasi naretreive na lahat ng na-trap. Kasalukuyan ngayong ginagawa ay nagrerepacking ng mga maraming pinatulong galing sa ibang LGUs and then ‘yong mga apektado nasa labas ng mga bahay nila kasi hindi pa talaga safe,” he said.
Ygot noted that aftershocks continue to rattle the city, making it unsafe for residents to enter buildings or evacuation centers.
“Ngayong umaga lang ay nag-aftershock na naman nang malakas. Wala talagang kaming inaannounce na pumasok sa mga gusali o mga evacuation center natin. May identified kami na evacuation center pero ‘yong karamihan dyan na sila nag-lagay ng tent or barong-barong ng tarpaulin sa gilid ng bahay nila. Ayaw din nila iwanan ‘yong bahay kasi ito ‘yong mga gamit nila,” he added.
Bogo City has recorded at least 33 fatalities and over 186 individuals injured, many of whom are currently hospitalized.
Despite these challenges, Ygot reported that fair weather has started to appear in the city, which may aid relief and rehabilitation efforts.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the establishment of a temporary tent city for those displaced by the earthquake. However, Ygot stated that the operation has yet to begin due to delays in the delivery of tents.
“Ngayon wala pa ring nangyayari na tent city kasi wala pa ring dumating na mga tent. Nag-convene kagabi ‘yong council. ‘Yong priority muna ngayon is ‘yong water system na maiayos agad kasi ‘yong urban areas namin, ‘yong commercial is wala pa ring tubig,” he said.
Power outages persist in several barangays, with some areas experiencing intermittent electricity since the quake. Plans are underway to use a large lot near the city hall as a site for the temporary tent city, which will allow authorities to monitor the area more effectively.
Due to the lack of proper shelter, some residents have resorted to sleeping outdoors with only plastic sheets or sacks for cover. Ygot recounted, “Noong Miyerkules ng gabi around 11pm was the last reported retrieval of a collapsed infrastructure. Until yesterday and today wala nang naghahanap ng missing.”
The earthquake also caused significant damage to Bogo City Hall, prompting local government offices to consider relocating operations to the nearby sports complex.
Rehabilitation efforts are ongoing as Bogo City and other affected areas in Cebu work to recover from the devastating disaster.
