Negros Occidental to send PHP 2-million quake aid

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The provincial government of Negros Occidental will donate PHP 2,000,000 in cash assistance to earthquake-hit Bogo City in Cebu.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson told reporters on Monday that other local government units may also contribute depending on their available budgets.

Negros Occidental, through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and in coordination with other LGUs under the “One Negros Response Team,” deployed rescue and relief teams to Cebu last Friday to assist quake-stricken areas.

“They will be pulled out within the week. Only the team from Victorias City will remain as they departed only on Sunday,” Lacson said.

In a statement over the weekend, Lacson, Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso, and other provincial officials extended thanks and commendations to nine local government units that joined the One Negros Response Team sent to Cebu, particularly Bogo City.

The nine LGUs are the cities of San Carlos, Sipalay, Silay, Sagay, Cadiz, Talisay, Escalante, and Victorias, and the municipality of Toboso.

The One Negros Response Team delivered 52,100 liters of potable water to earthquake survivors in one city and two towns in Cebu.

They also deployed two tankers, two mobile water filtration units, an ambulance, a rescue truck, two utility vehicles, and other necessary assets to support relief and rescue operations.

On Sept. 30, 2025, at about 9:59 p.m. (PHT), a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Cebu, with the epicenter located about 17–19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City.

The quake had a shallow depth of approximately 5–10 kilometers, which typically makes tremors more damaging to surface structures.

According to disaster agencies and news reports, the latest verified update listed at least 69 confirmed deaths.

Injuries totaled more than 140 people, with some reports placing it near 147.

In subsequent reporting, the death toll rose to 72 confirmed dead, with nearly 300 injured.

The quake is now considered the strongest ever recorded in northern Cebu, according to PHIVOLCS.

The affected areas suffered extensive infrastructure damage, including collapsed buildings, damaged roads and bridges, power outages, and disruption of water supply.

Bogo City, being closest to the epicenter, was among the hardest hit, with at least 30 deaths reported.

Other municipalities also reported fatalities, such as San Remigio with 22 deaths, Medellin with 10, Tabogon with five, and Tabuelan and Sogod with one each.

Authorities recorded hundreds of aftershocks following the initial quake.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City, through the secretary to the mayor, Atty. Marty Go, said that Mayor Greg Gasataya has committed to send cash aid to Bogo City as well.