PBBM condoles with Cebu quake victims, vows prompt aid

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION. A damaged road in Bogo City, Cebu, in the aftermath of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2025) night. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Oct. 1) extended his condolences to the victims of the powerful earthquake. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday extended his condolences to the victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu province on Tuesday night.

In a statement, Marcos said the government will provide immediate assistance to the affected areas.

“Buong puso akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at kasama sa aking mga dasal ang kaligtasan ng mga nasugatan at lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol (I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and I include in my prayers the safety of those who were injured and all who were affected by the earthquake),” he said.

“Nasa mga apektadong lugar na po ang ating mga Kalihim upang magbigay ng tulong at suriin ang pinsala mula sa lindol at mga aftershock (Our Cabinet Secretaries are already on the ground in the affected areas to provide assistance and assess the damage caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks),” Marcos added.

The President called on everyone to stay alert and heed the advisories issued by local governments.

He said the Office of the Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council are leading the coordination of all government agencies to ensure a swift and organized response.

He noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways has conducted road assessments to ensure the safety of roads and bridges, while the Department of Energy is working to restore the power supply.

He added that the Department of Health has already deployed additional personnel to hospitals, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development is delivering food and other forms of aid to affected individuals.

Marcos also assured the public that the Bureau of Fire and Protection is assisting in search and rescue operations, while the Philippine National Police is focused on maintaining order and supporting rescue efforts.

“Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan (Together, we will help our fellow citizens recover and rebuild the communities that have been affected),” he said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9. The tremor struck at 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, with its epicenter located 21 km. northeast of Bogo City, Cebu.

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III also extended his condolences to the quake victims.

“Ipinapaabot ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas ang taos-pusong pakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay at sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol sa Cebu at mga karatig-probinsiya (Congress extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and to all those affected by the earthquake in Cebu and nearby provinces),” Dy said in a statement.

He said they are coordinating with concerned agencies and local government units to ensure that needed assistance is immediately provided, particularly medical services and basic necessities, in affected areas.

Dy said his office is also coordinating with the representatives from the affected districts to support their respective efforts to bring aid to their constituents.

“Ang inyong Kongreso ay nakahandang maging katuwang sa pagbalangkas ng mga kinakailangang programa upang matulungan ang mga nasalanta at higit pang mapatatag ang kahandaan ng bansa laban sa mga darating pang sakuna (Your Congress is ready to help formulate needed programs to help the victims and strengthen the country’s preparedness for succeeding calamities),” he said.

“Hindi nag-iisa ang ating mga kababayan sa gitna ng trahedyang ito. Kaisa at karamay ninyo ang buong sambayanan at ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa pagbangon (Our countrymen are not alone amid this tragedy. The House of Representatives and the whole nation is one with you).”