Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday, October 1 led the Senate in expressing solidarity with the people of Cebu and its nearby provinces that were jolted by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on  September 30.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake damages the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima and a house in Cebu on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.(Photos from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima and Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro)

“We extend our prayers to all those affected and express deep gratitude to the first responders and volunteers who continue to provide assistance and help. With the nation’s prayers and compassion, may the people of Cebu and affected provinces find the strength to recover quickly and stand even stronger,” Sotto said in a statement.

“May we be reminded of Psalm 46:1-2: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” the Senate leader said.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano also extended prayers for the citizens in Cebu and the Visayas who were shaken by the earthquake, and urged the government to be quick, efficient and compassionate in its response to the victims.

At the same time, Cayetano reiterated his call for disaster preparedness and community resilience, and also called for stronger investments in infrastructure safety and disaster-response systems.

“This earthquake reminds us that the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Hindi sapat ang panandaliang tulong lang (providing temporary relief isn’t sufficient)— our goal must be long-term preparedness),” he said.

“We need to make sure that our schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure can withstand disasters, and that relief operations can reach people immediately when calamities strike,” he said.

“Government action is crucial, but so is the spirit of bayanihan. Time and again, Filipinos have proven that in moments of crisis, we rise together. If we are going to help each other, we can ease the suffering of those most affected,” he added.

For his part, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government to prioritize the safety of learners and teachers affected by the earthquake.

“The 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu is a stark reminder that children are the most vulnerable in times of disaster. Their safety, well-being, and continued learning must be our highest priority,” Gatchalian said.

“I urge the Department of Education (DepEd) and our local government units (LGUs) to act swiftly — conduct thorough inspections of school buildings, suspend the use of unsafe facilities, and provide psychosocial support to both learners and teachers,” he said.

Sen. Joel Villanueva also said his “thoughts and prayers are with the Cebuanos and all our kababayans in the Visayas region who were affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu last night.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as we pray for the safety of the rescuers and volunteers who provided immediate assistance to those in need,” Villanueva said.

“We also stand in solidarity with government employees, especially our healthcare workers and social welfare officers, who continue to respond to the needs of our countrymen in hospitals and evacuation centers as search and rescue operations continue,” added the lawmaker.

Villanueva also hoped that safety inspections of vital installations and critical infrastructure are continuing to ensure the unhampered delivery of emergency services of the government for all those affected.

Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Cebuanos and reminded Filipinos to again “embody the spirit of bayanihan” and by setting aside political issues, uniting in helping those in ineed.

“As our national government and various agencies conduct rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts to deliver basic services and immediate assistance to the earthquake victims, I also encourage the private sector, NGOs, and others who are willing to extend assistance to our affected compatriots,” Estrada said.

“In times of crisis, our unity is our strongest weapon,” he stressed.

Estrada, at the same time, called for the immediate implementation of Republic Act No. 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he sponsored in the Senate.

“In situations like these, we see even more the importance of having strong and safe evacuation centers with adequate facilities and basic necessities—not only during typhoons but also during strong earthquakes and other calamities,” he said.