Marcos assures Cebu quake victims of full support

Death toll rises to 72; initial damage to infra at ₱2B

- AARON RECUENCO, BETHEENA UNITE, RAYMUND ANTONIO, and TRIXEE ROSEL

President Marcos visited Ground Zero of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit northern Cebu and nearby areas on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, and assured the victims of the government's full support as the death toll rose to 72 and initial damage to infrastructure was placed at ₱2 billion.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least 294 people were injured and scores of residents were rendered homeless.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru sent a message of condolences to President Marcos on the deaths and damages caused by Tuesday night's magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

"I am deeply saddened and worried to learn the news that many precious lives were lost and serious damages were brought in the vast areas of central Philippines due to the earthquake offshore of Cebu Province. On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and express my sympathy to their families and those who were affected."

"Japan always stands with the Philippines in overcoming this time of difficulties," the Prime Minister said in his letter dated Oct. 1.

Marcos announced that the Office of the President (OP) has donated ₱180 million to the provincial government of Cebu and to the local governments of Bogo, San Remigio, Sogod, Medellin, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

The quake, with epicenter located 17 kilometer north of Bogo City in Cebu, also affected around 171,000 people from 47,221 families in Central Visayas.

Assessment teams were immediately deployed in various parts of Cebu and nearby areas and based on the latest data, six bridges and three roads were rendered impassable.

Several establishments were also damaged and rapid assessments of buildings and critical infrastructure was already ordered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).