Capitol ramps up rehab efforts in typhoon, quake-hit areas

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Government has mobilized officials and agencies to restore communities, schools, and infrastructure after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the island on Sept. 30 , followed by Typhoon Tino in November last year.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro led a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) meeting on Friday, Jan. 30, with retired Col. Dennis Pastor, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces to plan and coordinate rehabilitation efforts.

Mayors from 11 of the hardest-hit local government units attended, including Bogo City Mayor Maria Cuelo Martinez, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez, Daanbantayan Mayor Gilbert Arrabis, and Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos.

Other local chief executives sent official representatives.

National government agencies and provincial department heads joined to coordinate the recovery operations and ensure faster delivery of relief and repair projects.

The provincial government announced plans to build 269 Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS) in 34 municipalities, prioritizing areas where school buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Each one-classroom TLS will cost P1.1 million, with a total allocation of around P300 million, to provide safe and functional learning spaces for students whose education was disrupted by the disasters.

The scale of the damages, however, may require even more funding.

The PDRRMO reported that the total recovery costs for the earthquake could reach P19 billion as of January 2026.

The office presented the estimate during the first regular session of the Provincial Board on January 26, which focused on the executive department’s recovery and relief plans following both the earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

The earthquake claimed 81 lives, including victims who died after hospitalization due to severe injuries.

Authorities also recorded 235,747 affected families.

The disasters left 138,679 houses partially damaged and 7,679 homes totally damaged or destroyed.

Infrastructure also suffered heavily, with 33 of the 38 most affected bridges still awaiting repair.

Of 175 establishments impacted by the disasters, 27 permanently closed because of safety concerns.

Retired Colonel Pastor said that while the estimated recovery cost is high, the provincial government can tap other agencies to share the burden.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will take the lead in repairing affected national roads, bridges, and school buildings and in allocating the necessary budgets for these projects.

Baricuatro emphasized the urgency of coordinated efforts, particularly for students and communities who need safe environments to resume daily life.

By working with national agencies, local governments, and provincial departments, Cebu aims to restore normalcy as quickly as possible while addressing both immediate needs and long-term rehabilitation.

The TLS program and infrastructure repairs form part of a broader strategy to ensure that students return to school safely, residents regain secure homes, and roads and bridges are rebuilt to withstand future disasters.

The provincial government continues to monitor recovery progress and may adjust funding allocations to respond to ongoing needs in affected municipalities.(MyTVCebu)