Rising stronger: A call for preparedness and unity after the earthquakes

In the last two weeks, the Philippines has been struck by powerful earthquakes that have shaken Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

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Quakes rocked Cebu, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, La Union, Zambales, and other parts of our country registering magnitudes as high as 7.4. Nearly a hundred lives have been lost, thousands injured, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Homes crumbled. Livelihoods were wiped out. Communities were left reeling in fear and uncertainty.

Yet amid the devastation, the spirit of Bayanihan emerged stronger than the tremors. Support surged from all corners of the country and beyond. National agencies, local governments, international partners, NGOs, private groups, rescue workers, and volunteers worked around the clock, even as aftershocks continued to threaten their safety. Their courage is atestament to the Filipino people’s compassion and resilience.

The City of San Juan stands in full solidarity with those affected. We extended a total amount of P2 million to the Province of Cebu and to the City of Bogo. In my capacity as national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, on behalf of the LCP, we also extended P1 million to the City of Bogo. But beyond the relief efforts, these disasters underscore the urgency of strengthening our national resilience.