Crisis in Cebu: No water, electricity, shelter

Four days since the magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook northern Cebu, survivors continue to face challenges in their daily struggle to survive while waiting for basic services to stabilize.

- By JONNAVIE VILLA

President Marcos is greeted by Katutubo Village Elementary School students who received Brigada backpacks yesterday. The school also received Starlink units as part of the distribution of livelihood and educational assistance to Aeta communities at Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month.

(NOEL PABALATE)

As the needs pile up, local officials have appealed for urgent necessities including food packs, first aid kits, hygiene supplies, modular tents, sleeping bags, potable water, generator sets and caution tapes. Affected families also need psychological support.

Video showed some residents in Medellin sleeping inside plastic bags to shield themselves from the rain due to the lack of modular tents.

People have been reluctant to return to their houses because aftershocks continue, with the strongest registering at magnitude 5.1 off Bogo City at daybreak yesterday.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez admitted that while help has started pouring in, the pace of delivery remains a concern.

"Several people from the private sector and other LGUS (local government units) have helped us here but we're expecting DSWD to send family packs," he said.

He added that about 18,000 to 20,000 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have been distributed to the municipality. Despite these efforts, some residents feel government aid is not coming fast enough.

Roads remain congested in northern Cebu as a steady stream of trucks carries relief goods to the hardest-hit areas.

Water remains the top demand. The Philippine Red Cross and other organizations have sent water tankers, but families continue to clamor for more.