The 17th Provincial Board of Cebu has approved a resolution allocating ?26 million in financial aid and in-kind support to local government units (LGUs) affected by the September 30 earthquake that devastated northern Cebu.
The resolution, authored by Board Member Lakambini Reluya, was passed during the regular session on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Under the measure, funds will be taken from the Legislative Department’s budget to provide direct financial assistance and relief support to quake-stricken towns and cities.
Reluya said the initiative is anchored on the responsibility of the Provincial Board to safeguard the welfare of its constituents, especially during times of calamities.
She stressed that there is a compelling need to extend urgent help to LGUs to help them cope with immediate needs, facilitate rehabilitation, and aid recovery.
‘The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through prudent financial management, has sufficient allocation from which financial assistance and support services may be drawn to augment local disaster response,’ Reluya said during the session.
The ?26-million aid package is intended to complement local disaster relief operations, ensuring that affected communities can recover faster.
Cebu Province was placed under a state of calamity covering all cities and municipalities after the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit northern Cebu on September 30, 2025.
In addition to the official allocation, members of the Provincial Board agreed to pool a portion of their own salaries to extend personal help.
Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco announced that the Board Members collectively targeted to raise ?1 million from their contributions. He said the amount will be distributed as ?100,000 cash aid to each northern Cebu municipality and city affected by the earthquake.
The initiative was agreed upon during a caucus of the Provincial Board last October 6.
Yesterday, Soco, together with several Provincial Board Members, visited Sogod and Borbon to personally turn over the first batch of assistance.
Sogod Mayor Moonyeen Durano Streegan received ?100,000 cash assistance along with relief goods, including rice, bottled water, canned goods, noodles, bread, and other essentials.
In Borbon, Barangay Captain Jaytees Tancawan, representing Mayor Nico Dotillos, accepted the aid on behalf of the municipal government.
Aside from cash and relief goods, the Provincial Board also turned over a Starlink internet connection to provide residents access to communication and online services amid the ongoing recovery.