Cebu quake survivors appeal for help as death toll climbs

Death came with a loud rumble in the pitch-dark night, as a powerful earthquake shattered the quiet of northern Cebu in the central Philippines late on Sept 30.

- Mara Cepeda Philippines Correspondent

As at 9am on Oct 2, at least 72 people have been confirmed dead following one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in recent years, with nearly 300 injured and more than 170,000 affected across the province.

In the aftermath, Bogo City, where nearly half of the recorded fatalities occurred, has emerged as the hardest-hit area.

The tremor, which struck shortly after llpm on Sept 30, has reduced several buildings, churches and houses to rubble, with residents now sleeping in makeshift shelters or under tarpaulins amid continuing aftershocks.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrived in Bogo City on Oct 2 to inspect the damage and meet local officials and survivors.

He announced that the Office of the President is transmitting more than 220 million pesos (S$4.9 million) worth of funds to disaster-stricken cities and towns in Cebu to help local officials with rehabilitation efforts.

He also said that a “tent city” would be put up in the coming days to temporarily shelter displaced families, with each tent equipped with enough supplies and its own power generator. He said many evacuees still prefer staying outside because of the aftershocks.

“They prefer to stay outside for now, so we'll follow their wishes,” he said. “We'll make sure all their basic needs are met.”