CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Cebu provincial government will be launching the #KumbatiCebu Task Force (TF), a recovery and rehabilitation initiative aimed at rebuilding northern Cebu following the devastation of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on September 30.
During a media interview, Capitol’s Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces explained that the Capitol’s task force will be up for proposed funding of about P200 million from the national government.
The proposal will be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approval. Of this amount, P50 million will come from the Office of the President, while the rest will be sourced from national allocation of rehabilitation fund.
The breakdown of the proposed budget includes: P40 million for water supply systems, P10 million for women-led social enterprises, P10 million for cultural heritage restoration, and P70 million for construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, public markets, and multi-purpose buildings.
Another P20 million is earmarked for disaster equipment, P20 million for vehicles, P10 million for food assistance, and P20 million for house repairs.
According to Emperas, the provincial government wants the recovery efforts to go beyond immediate relief. “Nakita naman nga dali ‘ta nakabangon. But what we need now is how to keep the pace,” he said.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro has set an ambitious target: the bulk of recovery and rehabilitation must be completed by mid-2026, with major infrastructure projects like roads expected to be restored by the end of next year and bridge construction to begin by June 2026.
The governor emphasized that northern Cebu must resume its economic and social operations as soon as possible.
Empaces noted that the five towns most affected by the earthquake — Borbon, Tabogon, Bogo, Medellin, and San Remigio — will be the priority areas for #KumbatiCebu. Temporary shelter remains a pressing concern, while the provincial government is still planning for organized relocation.
Empaces said the Capitol wants displaced families to stay close to their original communities. “Para maka-reconstruct sila sa ilang kinabuhi, magamit nila ang tent for other purposes,” he explained.
The proposal also includes cash assistance ranging from P10,000 to P15,000 per family to support their temporary shelter needs.
This measure, officials said, would allow families to rebuild faster while also reducing their dependence on government-provided tents.
Beyond infrastructure, economic revival is central to the campaign. The Capitol is planning to rehabilitate public markets and support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local chambers of commerce.
Former Cebu Vice Governor Hilario Davide III has joined the campaign after accepting Governor Baricuatro’s invitation to serve as an advisory member of #KumbatiCebu. His role will be to provide strategic guidance and support Capitol’s coordination with other stakeholders.
‘No proper coordination’
Provincial Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III criticized the Cebu Provincial Government for what he described as a slow and poorly coordinated disaster response.
“Where is the provincial government? What is happening? What actions are being taken? There is no formal reporting except for an email received now and then,” Martinez asked.
Martinez, who hails from Bogo City and currently serves as president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), raised the issue during his privilege speech at the provincial board’s regular session yesterday (October 6).
He said his constituents have been pressing him for relief, but he has little to tell them about what assistance the province has actually delivered. “I am a member of this institution, yet when I face my constituents, I cannot give them answers,” Martinez said, referring to claims that provincial aid had already reached their city.
He stressed that official records show otherwise, as he lamented online accusations that local officials and volunteers were withholding relief. He clarified that distribution could not begin until enough supplies were secured to avoid excluding affected families.
Martinez also reminded the public that volunteers, barangay leaders, and municipal workers are themselves victims of the quake, yet they continue to serve despite being unfairly criticized.
He underscored the need for proper coordination to avoid duplication and ensure that aid flows to the hardest-hit areas. “Our city lies in ruins. Municipalities are destroyed. We have lost families and friends. We do not have the time or luxury to engage in petty disputes,” he shared during the session.
Bogo City Mayor Mayel Martinez, his sister, echoed his concerns. She described the provincial relief operations as “chaotic” and “disorganized,” saying traffic jams and logistical hurdles had slowed delivery to some barangays.
On Facebook, she noted that despite years of dealing with typhoons and even the pandemic, the current response has been the most difficult so far.
Capitol refutes Martinez
Capitol Emergency Operations Center (EOC) manager Restituto Arnaiz defended the Cebu Provincial Government about the allegations contained in the privilege speech of Board Member Tining.
Arnaiz refuted the Tining’s claims, saying the latter’s remarks were “unfair” not only to the Capitol but also to the people who have been working on the ground since Day One.
“I want to emphasize that on the morning of October 1, Governor Pamela Baricuatro was already at ground zero. Board Member Martinez cannot deny this because he was able to meet both the good governor and President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.,” Arnaiz pointed out.
He also stressed that Tining’s statement was unjust to the volunteers, Capitol employees, and private partners who have been working around the clock to assist communities heavily affected by the earthquake.
As proof of the provincial government’s immediate response, Arnaiz presented data on the resources and personnel deployed as early as Day One, right after the disaster.
Based on the EOC report, the Capitol had already augmented 12 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) personnel, 10 additional medical staff, and eight medical units. It also deployed 1,460 relief goods, 1,830 kilos of rice, 2,680 liters of water, six generator sets, 24 tents, 130 non-food packs, and 325 hygiene kits.
Arnaiz assured the public that the provincial government, through the EOC, continues to coordinate with national agencies, local governments, and private organizations to ensure that relief and rehabilitation efforts reach the affected families in northern Cebu.
| Written by Jonnavie Villa/RAE
