Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV confirmed in a press briefing yesterday that no formal evacuation camps have been activated in Bogo City following the powerful earthquake that struck northern Cebu late Tuesday night.
As of press time, more than 1,000 evacuees were sheltering in open spaces in Bogo City, though tents are being mobilized to provide temporary relief.
‘We technically don’t have evacuation camps right now. Our kababayans are just in open spaces. We’re assessing how many cannot return to their homes, and that will dictate how many camps we’ll need to manage in the next 24 hours,’ Alejandro said.
The official emphasized that the immediate priority remains search and rescue operations, especially in the mountainous areas of Bogo and neighboring San Remigio, where residents were reportedly trapped under debris.
‘We are still within the golden hour. Trained personnel are working tirelessly to retrieve survivors,’ he added.
Among the hardest-hit facilities was the San Remigio Sports Complex, which had been designated as an evacuation center. The structure sustained significant damage during the quake, and initial reports confirmed that some lives were lost in the collapse. Alejandro declined to comment on concerns about possible substandard infrastructure contributing to the casualties, deferring the matter to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
‘Next question. We’ll leave it to DPWH. They will assess,’ he said when pressed.
The DPWH has since issued multiple advisories and deployed augmentation teams to inspect the structural integrity of school buildings, hospitals, roads, and bridges in affected areas. Initial reports indicated partial collapses and single-lane passable roads, while air assets have also been deployed for aerial assessments and rescue operations in highland communities.
Defense Secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro is also in Cebu to personally oversee the situation.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that Bogo City District Hospital has been overwhelmed, prompting the deployment of additional medical personnel and transport teams for patient transfers. Power restoration efforts are underway, with generators temporarily supplying electricity, while the Department of Energy works to stabilize the grid.
Alejandro acknowledged the challenges posed by unstable communications and transport delays, noting that the city is around three hours away from Cebu City. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been tasked to establish emergency communication systems to provide a clearer operational picture.
Casualties, mostly due to falling debris, have been brought to hospitals. Close to 60 deaths were reported to the Office of Civil Defense earlier in the day, though figures remain fluid amid ongoing rescue efforts. The DOH and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are managing the retrieval and identification of the deceased, as well as concerns about the proximity of bodies to the district hospital.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continues to monitor aftershocks, some reaching magnitude 5. Residents remain hesitant to return to their homes, prompting further assessments of residential safety and the deployment of water filtration teams and food packs.
In anticipation of panic buying and hoarding, DILG Undersecretary Jovic Remulla placed the Philippine National Police (PNP) on red alert to maintain order and prevent looting.
Alejandro stressed that the full force of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has been deployed under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
‘All hands are on deck. Cabinet members are coordinating to ensure resources reach those who need them,’ he said.
He also underscored the importance of public education and preparedness, especially in Metro Manila, where ‘the Big One’ is expected within the next 50 years.
‘We can never be 100 percent prepared, but we continue to practice and improve the plan. This event is one way to test our systems,’ Alejandro said.
International support from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia is being considered, though assessments are still ongoing.
As the situation unfolds, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and prioritize safety amid continuing aftershocks and rescue operations.