President Marcos has ordered the full mobilization of government agencies following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Cebu, killing at least 69 people and causing injuries to more than 140 on Tuesday night, Sept. 30.

“Buong puso akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at kasama sa aking mga dasal ang kaligtasan ng mga nasugatan at lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol (I wholeheartedly sympathize with the families who lost their loved ones, and my prayers are for the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake),” Marcos said Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Foreign governments were quick to send their sympathies to the Philippines following the earthquake, as relayed by the ambassadors of Canada, the European Union, United States, Australia, and Japan.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) conducted full-scale disaster response operations on Tuesday night with search and rescue (SAR) operations concentrating in Bogo City, the hardest-hit area.

The quake occurred at 9:59 p.m. with its epicenter traced 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo City. It had a depth of focus of 10 kilometers, and was tectonic in origin.

The earthquake trapped an unspecified number of residents in collapsed houses, nightclubs and other businesses in Bogo and outlying rural towns in Cebu province.

Rescuers scrambled to find survivors Wednesday. Army troops, police and civilian volunteers backed by backhoes and sniffer dogs were deployed Wednesday to carry out house-to-house searches for survivors.

The death toll in Bogo was expected to rise, according to officials, who said intermittent rain and damaged bridges and roads were hampering the race to save lives.

“We’re still in the golden hour of our search and rescue,” Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in a news briefing. “There are still many reports of people who were pinned or hit by debris.”

President Marcos said Cabinet officials are already in affected areas to deliver aid and assess the damage.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is inspecting roads and bridges for safety, while the Department of Energy (DOE) is working to restore the power supply.

The Department of Health (DOH) has deployed additional personnel to hospitals, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is distributing food packs and other assistance.

Vice President Sara Duterte directed the OVP Satellite Office in Cebu for the immediate mobilization of resources to assist affected families and individuals there.

“We stand with the people of Cebu during this difficult time. The OVP will continue to extend support and coordinate closely with local government units, national agencies, and private partners to ensure that immediate needs are met,” her office said in a statement.

According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla reported to the President that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are leading search-and-rescue operations, while also securing order in quake-hit areas.

The PNP was also tasked to prevent looting and maintain peace as communities recover.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said he already directed all the personnel in Central Visayas to coordinate with local government units in providing assistance to secure establishments and vital infrastructure that may have been compromised as a result of the strong earthquake to ensure public safety.

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa confirmed that teams from Cebu South Medical Center and Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital have been dispatched to tend to the injured.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), has also mobilized BRP Teresa Magbanua, carrying doctors, nurses, medics, and emergency supplies.

Eight K9 search-and-rescue teams will be deployed to reinforce operations in collapsed structures, while water desalination systems are being readied for northern Cebu, where pipelines have been damaged.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that 300,000 family food packs have been prepositioned across Cebu and are ready for distribution to affected families. The packs, containing rice and basic goods, are designed to feed a family of five for two to three days.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman urged national agencies to immediately activate their quick response funds (QRF), with the source fund now standing at ₱8 billion.

DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran said that there were zero requests to replenish the agencies’ QRFs. Libiran said it is yet to be determined if the remaining balance will suffice for Cebu’s needs.

“If the funds fall short, there’s still the contingent fund—just in case. But for now, we’re still waiting for requests from the agencies, so we can’t tell yet whether it will be enough or not,” Libiran said.

“In moments like this, government aid must never be delayed,” Pangandaman said, noting that agencies such as the DSWD, DPWH, and the OCD have QRFs that can be tapped immediately to help affected communities.

Despite these, President Marcos urged communities to remain vigilant and to heed advisories from their local governments as relief and rehabilitation efforts scale up.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan (I urge everyone to remain alert and listen to advisories from your local governments),” he said.

“Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan (Together we will help our countrymen and rebuild affected communities),” he added.

The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines and ambassadors of the European Union, United States, Australia, and Japan sent their sympathies to the victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu province on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

“We mourn the loss of lives and we stand with those who are grieving, injured, or displaced. Canada stands ready to coordinate closely with Philippine government agencies, humanitarian partners, and the international community to help meet urgent needs,” it said.

European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro also expressed the regional bloc’s “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the victims of the Cebu quake.

“The EU stands in solidarity (EU and Philippine flags),” he said.

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown mourned the “sad news” in a separate X post.

“Australia extends its condolences to those impacted by the Cebu earthquake. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured,” he wrote.

Ambassadors MaryKay Carlson of the United States and Endo Kazuya of Japan, likewise, sent their condolences to those affected by the quake.

In a post on X, Carlson expressed the embassy’s willingness to help in the government’s response to the disaster.

“The (US) Embassy community offers our deepest condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Cebu. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected. We stand ready to support the government’s response as #FriendsPartnersAllies,” the ambassador said.

Endo, for his part, expressed “shock” at the reports following the strong earthquake.

“I am shocked to learn about the reported casualties and damages caused by the strong earthquake last night in Cebu & affected areas. My heartfelt sympathies go to the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with you during these challenging times,” he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded more than 300 aftershocks within six hours following a 6.9-magnitude earthquake near Bogo City, Cebu on Tuesday evening, Sept. 30.

As of 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, Phivolcs had recorded 379 aftershocks.

Of these, 100 were precisely located by at least three seismic stations, while three were reported felt.

The tremors ranged from 1.4 to 4.8 in magnitude.

Alejandro, in a press conference at the OCD Building, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday, announced that the full force of the OCD, including all 41 member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), was mobilized for disaster response.

“Right now, the full force of the national government is deployed to assist communities affected by this earthquake,” he said.

“This is a major event and we expect significant damage from this earthquake. We are still dealing with the effects of [Severe Tropical Storm] Opong in Masbate, and now we have this. We are not even finished with disaster relief operations after [Super Typhoon] Nando in northern Luzon, and on top of that, we have received another report from PAGASA [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] that a typhoon is approaching, which may cross northern Luzon this coming weekend. But we will manage all of these,” he added.

The tremor affected three regions: Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), and Eastern Visayas (Region 8). According to Alejandro, the death toll already reached 69, with casualties mostly caused by collapsed structures and falling debris in Cebu (Region 7). Bogo City had the most fatalities with 30; followed by San Remigio with 22; Medellin with 10; Tubogon with five; and one each in Sugod and Tabuelan.

Three Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel were among the fatalities. PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan identified the fallen coast guardians as Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo, assigned at the Maritime Safety Services; and Apprentice Seamen (ASN) Jujay Mahusay and Ert Cart Dacunes, from the PCG Training Center-Masbate.

Gavan said the three coast guardians died when the sports gymnasium of San Remigio town in Cebu collapsed due to the quake while a basketball match was being held.

“We are still receiving reports that some barangays need assistance for rescue. Many people are still reported trapped or pinned under debris caused by the earthquake.”

There were also 147 injured individuals in Bogo, Tabuelan, Catmon, Daanbantayan, and San Francisco in Cebu.

Uniformed services have been fully deployed for SAR operations. Engineering and SAR units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP, and BFP were already sent to Cebu.

To further assist in SAR and disaster relief, the PCG also deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua to Cebu to transport medical personnel with emergency equipment from Manila. Two 44-meter vessels were also set for deployment by the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) while the Coast Guard District Northeastern Mindanao (CGDNEM) was scheduled to field a 44-meter vessel currently stationed at the Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV).

Two C-130 aircraft from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) transported additional search and rescue personnel and equipment from Manila, while regional and neighboring units, including disaster response teams from Eastern Visayas, were also mobilized.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. flew to Cebu to personally assess the situation, according to Alejandro. Teodoro activated the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) to sort out all logistical requirements and needs in the areas needing response.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City was “overwhelmed” by dead bodies and injured people which prompted immediate reinforcements of medical teams from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City and other DOH hospitals, Alejandro said.

Cadavers were lying side by side with patients due to the lack of medical facilities but Alejandro said the DOH was already addressing the concern along with the Management of the Dead and Missing (MDM) Cluster led by the DILG.

Coordination was also made by the OCD with the DOE to assess power needs in Cebu to reenergize the affected areas.

More than 1,000 evacuees were monitored, many of them set up tents or gathered in open spaces out of fear that their houses might collapse. Alejandro said the DPWH was organizing a team to support provincial personnel in accelerating the assessment of priority structures such as schools, hospitals, and road networks.

Alejandro assured that there was a sufficient supply of food and water for the evacuees from the OCD and DSWD. Additional non-food items, such as shelter repair kits and hygiene kits, were also sent to Cebu to address the evacuees' needs.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said that more than 30 classrooms were totally damaged after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck near Bogo City, Cebu --- leaving schools across several regions reeling from the impact.

Based on DepEd's latest data, 197 classrooms sustained minor damage, 26 classrooms suffered major damage, and 34 classrooms were totally damaged. Six Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities were also affected.

The DSWD will provide burial assistance to families of those who perished in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off Cebu on Sept. 30.

DSWD-Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency’s Field Office 7 in Central Visayas will also extend ₱10,000 in cash aid to each bereaved family.

“The DSWD’s Field Office Central Visayas is now accounting the number of casualties and their location. Our social workers will also talk to the concerned families to inform them that the DSWD will shoulder the burial expenses of their loved ones,” Dumlao said on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has placed the Visayas grid on yellow alert.

In a report issued Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 8 a.m., NGCP said 27 power plants in the Visayas tripped, cutting about 1,444.1 megawatts (MW) from the grid. This prompted a yellow alert, which is issued when the operating margin is not enough to meet the requirements of the transmission grid.

According to the grid operator, 11 transmission lines are down, including Daanbantayan-Tabango 230-kilovolt (KV) lines one (L1) and two (L2), Tabango-Kananga 230-KV L1 and L2, Kananga-Ormoc 230-KV L1, Ormoc-Babatngon 138-KV L1 and L2, Babatngon-Paranas 138-KV L1 and L2, Paranas-Calbayog 138-KV L1 and L2, Ormoc-Maasin 138-KV L2, Isabel-Tongonan 138-KV Line, Isabel-Pasar 138-KV Line, and Pasar-IASCO 138-KV Line.

Meanwhile, NGCP reported 16 other power plants have been unavailable prior to the effects of the earthquake, while one is running on derated capacity.

Phivolcs reported a minor phreatomagmatic eruption of Taal Volcano early Wednesday morning, Oct. 1, which ended at 2:15 a.m.

According to the agency, the eruption started at 2:02 a.m.

“The event produced a 2500-meter-high eruption plume that drifted northwest,” the agency said in a Facebook post.

“Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano,” it added.

Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has directed all parishes and rectories under the Archdiocese of Cebu to undergo structural assessments following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on the evening of September 30.

Through Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran Jr., the Archbishop emphasized that churches in severely affected areas must refrain from holding Mass until safety certifications are issued by competent experts.

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Bantayan, St. Martin de Porres Parish, Ilihan, San Juan Nepomuceno Parish, San Remigio, and the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, Daanbantayan.

Classes in at least 46 areas and work in four areas (Borbon, Asturias, Malabuyoc, and Danao) were suspended for safety precautions while a rapid damage and needs analysis (RDANA) was conducted by local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

The towns of San Remigio and Tabuelan have declared a state of calamity due to the impact of the earthquake, allowing their local governments to use the calamity fund without needing additional approval from higher authorities to facilitate quick recovery.  (With reports from Gabriell Christel Galang, Derco Rosal, and the Associated Press)