Earthquake victims in some towns in northern Cebu province call for help as they battle rain, the cold weather at night and their desperate need for food while still waiting for relief goods to reach their area.
Arg De Real, a resident of Sitio Pandan, Barangay Mahawak in Medellin town, uploaded photos on Wednesday showing some of his family members and other evacuees sleeping under a blanket of transparent plastic to shield them from the rain.
De Real shared that there are currently an estimate of 400 families there who evacuated after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu on Tuesday evening, September 30, 2025.
‘Duol ra man mi og dagat sad. Ni bakwit lang mi sa bukid [We are living near the sea. That’s why we evacuated here at the hilly area],’ he told BusinessMirror in an interview on Thursday.
Most of them, he shared, only brought plastic bags so they can use it to shield them from the rain while some were fortunate enough to have some tents.
Fear prevents them from going back their houses especially at night as the town continues to experience aftershocks.
They called on authorities to help them as they are running out of food to eat.
‘Untag hatagan tanan peru ug kamu mang hatag unaha tawn amoa kay murag dili kaabot sa amoa [We hope that everyone gets to receive it but if you can help us please prioritize us as we haven’t received any help yet],’ he added.
He emphasized that they currently need food, water to drink, and tents there.
Amidst the tragedy, De Real still keeps a positive mind saying they are all ‘good’.
Different photos spread all over social media where evacuees seek help in order for relief goods and aid to reach them.
An uploader also posted a photo of kids photographed along the highway in San Remigio town raising cardboards with the words printed, ‘Walay tarong kaon [Had not eaten well]’ and ‘Help us. More food, water’.
The Cebu Provincial Government reported they have sent 7,622 food packs to Medellin town and 300 food packs to San Remigio as of 5pm on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
This is apart from the water bottles and other relief items that were also sent there.
In a video interview by local station MyTV Cebu, Mayor Edwin Salimbangon said the quake left many residents traumatized that they opted to stay on the roadside and open fields.
Salimbangon said the town has received initial relief goods but it could only last up to two days.
The municipality has opened their Tourist Rest Area to serve as a 24/7 drop-off site for donations.
No permit needed to deliver aid
Private individuals and groups who wish to directly send their dontations to affected areas don’t need to get a permit.
The Cebu Provincial Government clarified this advising to ‘proceed with extra caution and remain vigilant’ since there are still aftershocks there.
‘Donations coursed through the Capitol will be received and recorded at the Command Center to ensure transparency, proper documentation, and accountability, and to guarantee that assistance reaches those in need.,’ the Cebu Provincial Government said in a statement.