Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced that the city’s donation drive for earthquake-hit communities in northern Cebu will conclude on October 15, unless further assistance is deemed necessary.
‘We’re looking at October 15 as the target date to wind down the donation drive,’ Archival said in a press conference yesterday. ‘But if there’s still a need, we’re ready to extend. Padayon ta, Cebu City-for Cebu Province, for each other.’
Over the weekend, Archival personally visited Daanbantayan, San Remigio, and other affected areas to oversee relief operations.
To date, Cebu City has dispatched five waves of relief deliveries, while ten personnel from the City Engineering Office have been deployed to help restore essential services such as water supply.
City Hall remains the main hub for receiving and repacking donations, with volunteers working around the clock. Many city employees have stayed overnight to ensure aid reaches those in need.
The City Council earlier approved a peso-for-peso matching scheme for donations received, with total contributions now exceeding P5 million. Of this amount, P2.85 million has been collected from donors, based on receipts from the City Treasurer’s Office. The counterpart funding comes from PAGCOR, with a ceiling of P20 million authorized by the Council.
Archival said the funds may be used to procure housing materials for displaced families, pending final reports from local disaster offices.
In a show of solidarity, the Office of Muslim Affairs and Indigenous Cultural Communities, led by Jeannat Alih Cortes, partnered with Khidmat Organization Cebu and Muslim Youth Volunteers to deliver aid to the Madina, Thoha, and Al-Hajja Mosques.
‘Mao kini ang Cebu-beauty in diversity and strength in unity,’ Archival said. ‘Different faiths, different cultures-yet united in compassion. No one will be left behind.’
The city has also established a dedicated emergency camp and staging area in Bogo City to support ongoing relief and recovery operations.
The new camp ensures faster deployment of relief goods, medical aid, and water to affected areas. Archival expressed gratitude to Bogo Mayor Mayel Martinez, the Martinez family, and Councilors Lyndon and Ethel Gulane for their support and hospitality.
In San Remigio, he thanked Mayor Mariano ‘Mar’ Martinez, Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes Corominas, and the CCDRRMO team for setting up a medical base to assist earthquake victims.
Despite the approaching deadline, Archival encouraged continued donations through the City Treasurer’s Office and welcomed volunteers to join the repacking efforts.
‘Magtinabangay ta hangtod makabangon ang atong mga kaigsoonan,’Archival affirmed.