Aquino directs officials to speed up rehabilitation efforts for Bohol, Cebu communities

(CEBU CITY) President Benigno. S. Aquino III directed on Wednesday officials of concerned government agencies to devise strategies to speed up rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities in Cebu and Bohol provinces following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

The Chief Executive flew to Cebu province to assess the situation in areas affected by the earthquake. He then toured the Cebu Capitol, Sto. Nino Basilica, Mandaue Market among other areas.


A state of calamity has been declared by the government in Cebu and Bohol provinces.

During his visit to Cebu province, the President met officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), concerned government agencies and local government units in devising strategies to minimize the impact of the earthquake and immediately restore the living conditions of affected residents.

Operations of all sea vessels in Cebu City, Negros Island, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan and other nearby Visayas provinces were suspended on Tuesday.

In Cebu City, several national and local government teams continue to conduct assessment and rescue efforts in the affected areas while government medical teams attended to those who were injured.

Many areas were hit by power cuts, stopping some transport links and forcing hospitals to evacuate patients to open spaces as aftershocks rocked the province.

The NDRRMC said a total of 558,390 families (some 2,841,956 persons) were affected in seven cities, 27 municipalities, 879 barangays all in Bohol, Cebu and, Siquijor as of Wednesday. A total of 2,533 families (12,665 persons) were displaced and currently stayed in 13 evacuation centers in the affected areas.

The Disaster Response Team (DRT) in Naval Forces Central Visayas were deployed at the Sto. Nino Basilica to assist in the clearing operations of the collapsed bell tower while the Department of Health was initially placed on code red alert status.

According to the DOH, six hospitals/health facilities in Bohol sustained cracks but were found to be functional and operational.

DPWH-V coordinated with its District Engineering Offices regarding the effects of earthquake in their area of responsibility, while the Department of Education activated its disaster risk reduction and management office and announced the suspension of classes in Cebu City and the whole of Bohol.