CEBU CITY – A 6.9-magnitude earthquake jolted northern Cebu on Tuesday evening, killing at least 69 people and injuring over 200, disaster officials confirmed. The epicenter was located near Bogo City, where homes, schools, and public facilities suffered extensive damage. Local governments quickly declared a state of calamity, unlocking emergency funds and resources for devastated towns.
The tremor sent shockwaves across the Visayas and neighboring provinces. Communities in San Remigio were among the hardest hit, where a sports facility collapsed during an event, claiming several lives. Shaking was also felt in parts of Negros and Leyte, forcing families to flee to open spaces. A tsunami alert was briefly raised, sparking panic along coastal barangays, but was lifted after further monitoring.
Search and rescue missions are ongoing, with the Philippine Coast Guard, Army, and Bureau of Fire Protection assisting local responders. Many survivors spent the night in makeshift tents and evacuation centers as power outages and communication disruptions hampered emergency response. The Department of Trade and Industry also imposed a price freeze on basic commodities in Cebu to shield residents from overpricing during the crisis.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), hundreds of aftershocks are expected in the coming days. Experts revealed that the earthquake originated from an underwater fault line dormant for centuries. Authorities warned residents not to return to weakened or partially damaged structures as more tremors could occur.
National agencies and humanitarian organizations have pledged support through relief goods, medical assistance, and financial aid. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed sympathy to grieving families and directed the rapid release of rehabilitation funds. With lives lost and infrastructure heavily damaged, the earthquake stands as one of the most destructive disasters to strike the country in recent years, testing both resilience and unity in the affected communities.–Cali Demi
