Heavy traffic hampers relief efforts in Cebu
Published Oct 4, 2025 03:34 pm
TRAFFIC remains heavy on a national highway in northern Cebu province as people continue to bring relief goods to the quake-hit area. (Photo courtesy of Joel Noel of MyTVCebu)
CEBU CITY – Checkpoints have been mounted on the national highway in northern Cebu province as traffic caused by delivery of relief goods continued to build up on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The provincial government explained that the checkpoints are not meant to restrict those who travel to northern Cebu to bring relief aid to quake-hit victims.
The province emphasized that the checks are simply for coordination, monitoring, and safety.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the military and police have been instructed to accompany local government units in the distribution of relief goods.
The governor appealed to private individuals and organizations to centralize the distribution of relief goods and refrain from doing it on their own.
Baricuatro reminded that the volume of vehicles carrying relief goods for northern Cebu has caused heavy traffic and hampered the government’s relief efforts as a result.
“To those upset about our suggestion for a centralized and coordinated distribution of relief goods, it’s your right to express concern and we understand. However, centralized coordination ensures more efficient and safer distribution of aid,” Baricuatro said.
The governor added that northern Cebu remains unsafe due continued aftershocks caused by the magnitude-6.9 earthquake late Tuesday night, Sept. 30.
“The north isn’t fully safe yet. Aftershocks can still occur. Your safety remains our top priority. Centralized does not mean you can’t go there, we’re not the only authority involved here. We take guidance and instructions from national agencies too,” she said.
The Capitol has set up an Incident Command Center in Bogo City to ensure the smooth delivery of relief goods.
Ainjeliz Arong, provincial public information officer, said one of the main tasks of the command center is to make sure that relief items will be brought to all barangays.
As the province intensified its call for centralized distribution of donations, a pickup truck loaded with relief goods figured in an accident at the Transcentral Highway (TCH) on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4.
Aside from the North Road, Bogo City and its nearby areas can also be reached through the TCH.
According to reports, the pickup truck was traveling on Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban when it fell on its side. The vehicle was carrying repacked rice and bottled water.