Bacolod to aid Cebu quake victims, deploys responders

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government will extend financial assistance to those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on the night of Sept. 30.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said during Wednesday’s press briefing that he will consult with the City Council and the City Budget Office to determine the amount of aid the local government can provide.

He said the assistance will be coordinated through the local government unit and directed toward areas most severely affected by the quake.

He added that the city also plans to launch a donation drive to further help the victims.

Gasataya welcomed the involvement of non-government organizations and other groups, saying the city is open to facilitating their contributions.

During the launch of the 46th MassKara Festival on Oct. 1, the mayor called for a moment of silence and prayers for the victims.

“Let’s take a moment of silence to offer prayers to those affected by the earthquake. The city has decided to send financial aid to our brothers and sisters in Cebu,” the mayor said.

While the earthquake was felt at Intensity V in Bacolod and across Negros Island, no significant damage was reported in the city.

Following the tremor, 80 disaster-trained police officers from Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region — 41 from Negros Occidental and 39 from Negros Oriental — were deployed Wednesday to augment the operations of PRO-7 in Central Visayas.

The team brought search-and-rescue equipment and will initially stay for two weeks to focus on rescue and evacuation operations.

Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, emphasized the spirit of bayanihan in this deployment and commended the personnel’s professionalism and commitment to saving lives.

“By augmenting PRO-7, we extend not only our manpower but also our compassion and solidarity to earthquake-affected communities,” he said.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division also dispatched troops through its 302nd Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Group Cebu.

Maj. Gen. Michael Samson underscored the Army’s dual role in security and humanitarian service during crises.

“Our soldiers are not only trained for combat but are also prepared to extend help during disasters. In moments like these, we stand with our fellow Filipinos, not just as protectors, but as partners in recovery,” Samson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 20 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection–Negros Island Region, including members of Bacolod’s Special Rescue Force, were deployed to Bogo City, Cebu.

Bacolod Fire Marshal Supt. Jenny Mae Masip affirmed BFP’s full commitment to the national relief mission.

The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas also mobilized two rescue teams composed of medical responders and Special Operations Group members.

Commodore Christopher Auro, CGDSV commander, said the coordinated effort backed by food and water supplies from the Coast Guard Auxiliary aims to deliver swift assistance to affected areas.

The Philippines frequently experiences damaging earthquakes because it lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology notes that instrumental magnitude differs from felt intensity, which explains why a quake can be widely felt without causing severe damage in all areas.