Earthquake victims far from city plead on streets, still waiting for aid

After a devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, residents from coastal and upland villages, especially the kids and families, continued to appeal for food, water, and shelter as relief operations remained out of reach, especially in remote areas.

Along roads in Sogod, Borbon, Tabogon, Medellin, and Daanbantayan, survivors lined up holding cardboard signs begging for food and water, waving at passing cars in hopes of receiving aid.

Travel to northern Cebu is now taking longer than usual because of the volume of vehicles that are transporting aid to earthquake-affected localities, resulting in traffic.

But the provincial government acknowledged that many have indeed not received help but said it was setting up incident command centers (ICCs) in every barangay to fast-track the distribution of urgent necessities, such as water, food, and other necessities.

Authorities have also begun redirecting their operations from clearing and relief work to assisting in rebuilding efforts, including conducting assessments on buildings and other critical infrastructure damaged by the quake.

With the setback assistance, some residents in Barangay Tacup, San Remigio, one of the hardest-hit areas, have been forced to barter the little that they have, such as bananas and sweet potatoes, in exchange for clean water.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro stated that one of the reasons is due to sluggish delivery due to provincial operations only began on Oct. 2, that’s why relief operations have yet to reach some of the victims.

“We have to understand that our [local government units] are also affected, our mayors also have to deal with what happened to them, that’s why [the] Cebu [provincial government] has been there from Day One to help them out,” Baricuatro said at a press briefing.

She assured that the provincial government has rushed the setting up of ICCs to coordinate the help pouring in.

The Governor is urging private donors to coordinate and come up with a centralized distribution system to reduce the number of vehicles traveling to northern Cebu and decongest roads there.

“It’s always logistics, everything is about logistics. That’s why we’re trying to manage it and make sure nga atoang mga relief goods, maabot gyud siya to where it should be given. Right now, ang traffic sad padung didto sa north, grabe na kaayo ka-congested. That’s why unta we appeal sad sa atoang mga private individuals og atoang mga organizations nga i-centralize lang unta nato ang donations,” Baricuatro said.

It’s an urgent call that many survivors who have yet to receive any assistance expressed frustration over the distribution process, especially in the remote areas other than in Bogo City.

“It’s heartbreaking, it really crushes my heart. It’s so painful for people who haven’t eaten at this time,” said one resident, who requested anonymity.

The earthquake left 68 people dead and caused widespread destruction, harming homes, schools, churches, and vital infrastructure, especially the youngest survivors were born right after, and mothers had to give birth outside in a temporary maternity tent.