Cebu Quake Anniversary: Gov. Pam Cites ₱19B in Recovery Needs, Says Province Is Better Prepared
One year after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake devastated northern Cebu, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro gave members of the media an update on the Province's recovery efforts and disaster preparedness. She spoke at the Capitol on September 30, right after the commemorative Mass marking the quake's first anniversary.
According to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) cited by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the earthquake left an estimated ₱19 billion in recovery needs across 10 municipalities and one city.
In her own words
"We are more prepared than we were before," Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, governor of Cebu, said.
She emphasized that the lessons of the earthquake must translate into sustained preparedness across the local government units (LGUs) of Cebu.
The numbers behind the recovery
The ₱19 billion figure is an estimate of recovery needs. The statement does not say how much of it has already been funded or is still unfunded, so it should not be read as the amount remaining.
According to Gov. Baricuatro, the Cebu Provincial Government has already provided ₱750 million in assistance to affected LGUs.
For education, the Province is spending ₱265 million to help the Department of Education (DepEd) construct temporary learning shelters. The Governor said 40 percent of these are already completed.
For infrastructure, ₱238 million has been earmarked for the repair of 13 earthquake-damaged bridges requiring immediate intervention. "Earmarked" means the funds have been set aside. The statement does not give a repair schedule or name the bridges.
Role of national agencies
The Governor said major rehabilitation needs are also expected to involve national agencies. These include DepEd for damaged classrooms, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for roads and bridges, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for housing.
As chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, Gov. Baricuatro is also pushing for national funding for longer-term projects. These include proposed dams meant to improve Cebu's water security and flood mitigation. The statement does not provide costs or timelines for these proposals.
A stronger disaster-response setup
The Governor also highlighted the growth of Cebu's disaster-response capacity. She said the PDRRMO had only three personnel when her administration took over. It has since been strengthened as a department, established its own command center in Apas, and acquired additional rescue equipment. The statement does not specify what equipment was acquired or when.
For Gov. Baricuatro, recovery is not only about rebuilding what was damaged. It is also about making sure Cebu is better equipped to respond quickly and protect lives when disasters strike.
What Cebuanos should know
Source of figures: The amounts above come from the Governor's statement. The ₱750 million, ₱265 million, and ₱238 million are Provincial Government funds, separate from what national agencies may provide.
Learning shelters: The 40 percent completion figure is as reported by the Governor. Parents and school heads who want school-specific updates can ask their local DepEd office or LGU.
Bridge repairs: Residents who want to know which bridges are covered, and when work will happen, can ask their municipal government or the Provincial Government.
Preparedness: Residents can check with their LGU's disaster risk reduction and management office for local drills, evacuation routes, and advisories.
QUICK SUMMARY
What: Gov. Pamela Baricuatro's update on Cebu's earthquake recovery and disaster preparedness
Where: Cebu Provincial Capitol; affected areas in northern Cebu (10 municipalities and one city)
When: September 30, after the Mass marking the quake's first anniversary
Impact on Visayas: ₱19B estimated recovery needs; ₱750M Provincial assistance to LGUs; ₱265M for DepEd temporary learning shelters (40% completed); ₱238M earmarked for 13 bridges; PDRRMO strengthened; push for national funding for proposed dams
Source: Official Facebook page of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro
Source: Statement from the Office of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, via her official Facebook page