The police and rescuers inspect the damage at an indoor arena in San Remigio town, Cebu province, central Philippines, on October 1, 2025, after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake jolted the central Philippines, collapsing buildings and killing at least 26 people. The shallow quake struck at 9:50 p.m. on September 30 off the island's northern end near Bogo, a city of 90,000 people, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Alan Tangcawan, AFP
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday ordered various government agencies to mobilize assistance to the province of Cebu following the magnitude-6.9 earthquake that killed around 30 people, Malacanang said.
In a statement, the President condoled with the victims of the quake, and assured the public that government assets were deployed for rescue and relief operations.
“Buong puso akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at kasama sa aking dasal ang kaligtasan ng mga nasugatan at lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol,” Marcos said in a statement.
“Nasa mga apektadong lugar na po ang ating mga Kalihim upang magbigay ng tulong at suriin ang pinsala mula sa lindol at mga aftershock,” he said.
“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalan,” he said.
“Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan.”
In a release, the Palace said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) already urged government agencies to “promptly activate” Quick Response Funds (QRF).
Agencies are allowed to tap their QRF during emergencies and to pour finances for relief and recovery programs, “helping communities return to normalcy after disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.”
“DBM’s regional offices in Central and Eastern Visayas were instructed to coordinate with their regional counterparts from the [Office of Civil Defense] to identify requirements where DBM assistance may be extended,” the release read.
“Agencies may seek replenishment from the DBM once their QRF balance has been reduced to at least 50 percent,” it added.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), citing information from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were “fully mobilized.”
The PNP and BFP were prioritizing search and rescue. The PNP also seeks to maintain peace and order and prevent looting.
The Department of Health deployed medical teams to various hospitals, the PCO added.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the Philippine Coast Guard would send BRP Teresa Magbanua with doctors, nurses, and basic emergency equipment.
This seeks to support affected units and local disaster risk, reduction, and management offices.
“One [search and rescue] K9 at CDO will also be transported by PCG ship to Cebu. By tomorrow, to include the 6 from Manila and the one already stationed in Cebu, the PCG will have a total of 8 [search and rescue] K9 teams to support interagency SAR operations in collapsed structures,” Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez was quoted as having said by the PCO.
“PCG will deploy water desalinators to northern Cebu. We intend to avail appropriate commercial vessels if appropriate PN [vessels are] not available,” Lopez added.
The transportation chief said hospitals and evacuation centers “have almost no water source due to damaged water pipelines.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President said it would extend assistance to the affected residents through its satellite offices in Visayas.
“Maghahatid ng tulong ang OVP sa ating mga kabayayan na apektado ng lindol. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng OVP–Cebu, Bohol, at Siquijor Satellite Office, OVP–Eastern Visayas Satellite Office, at OVP–Panay and Negros Islands Satellite Office,” it said.
“Dasal ng OVP na mabigyan kayo ng lakas ng loob, at tibay ng pananampalataya, at pag-asa sa pagharap ng hamon na ito,” Vice President Sara Duterte’s office added.
A shallow 6.9 earthquake shook the waters off the northeastern part of Bogo City at 9:59 p.m. on September 30, sending panicking residents into the streets or open spaces and knocking out power to many areas.
The powerful quake killed at least 30 people and caused damage to buildings — including churches — and prompted the suspension of classes in much of Cebu.