The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), representing about 900 member-companies in Cebu City, is launching a program aimed to support the early recovery of affected businesses and communities, helping them regain stability and resume operations with essential guidance and resources.
Unity. Resilience. Recovery.
“As we work through this challenging time, let us remember the importance of unity, compassion, and collective responsibility. Cebu is strong, and with continued cooperation, we will overcome this adversity together,” the CCCI said in a statement.
“The Cebu business community has always been resilient, and we are confident that together, we will recover and rebuild stronger,” it added.
The chamber also urged businesses affected by the tremor to take necessary precautions for their employees’ safety and to seek support where available.
Mia Singson-Leon of Quest Hotel, president of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), said their members are not only double-checking their properties and ensuring their employees’ welfare but are also organizing relief efforts for affected towns in northern Cebu.
“Some of our members are sending food packs and water,” said Leon.
Assessing the damage
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 11 buildings were either destroyed or damaged in the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck at 9:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, with Bogo City as its epicenter.
These include a McDonald’s outlet at Il Corso, South Road Properties, and a Jollibee branch along General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City, both of which were badly damaged.
Another McDonald’s branch in Bogo, about 107 km north of Cebu City, and a sports complex in nearby San Remegio town, collapsed.
Also damaged were public markets in San Remegio and Mandaue City, Bogo bus terminal and Roosevelt Memorial College also in Bogo.
Radisson Blu, Nustar Resort and Casino and Bayfront Hotel in Cebu City as well as SM Consolacion in the northern town of Consolacion, also sustained damage from the earthquake.
Shaken but steady
But it was business as usual at Bayfront and Radisson Blu in the North Reclamation Area, where damage was minor and no one was hurt.
Ian Baol, Radisson marketing communication head, said internal assessment by their own engineering and security teams showed the structure was safe and sound for use.
Still, he added, they had engaged the services of a third-party structural integrity assessor, who was expected to arrive on Wednesday.
Doreen Angelie Crystal-Estologa, Bayfront area hotel manager, assured that the hotel’s structure was not affected by the earthquake.
The tremor caused the dislocation of the tiles on the hallway on the 6th, 7th and 8th floor while tiles on one part of the wall at the lobby fell.
In a statement, Nustar said it had completed an initial sweep of the development and reported no injuries or casualties.
“We remain committed to providing a safe environment for the community and shall continue with enhanced standards of security until full operations resume,” it added.
Its gaming and food and beverage services resumed operations in the evening of Oct. 1 after hotel operations were given clearance.
SM Consolacion temporarily closed on Wednesday to conduct clearing operations and a thorough inspection after the earthquake, which also triggered a small fire in one section of the mall.
No one was hurt and a fire out was declared immediately by the Bureau of Fire Protection upon their arrival and inspection, according to the statement posted on SM Consolacion’s FaceBook page.
“SM Supermarket will remain open to service the customers’ basic needs at this time,” it added.
National support mobilized
Relief and recovery efforts are underway to aid thousands of people affected by the earthquake, particularly in northern Cebu.
Four Cabinet members flew into Bogo, which was worst hit by the earthquake, to assess the damage and extend assistance to the victims.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the quake caused at least ₱2 billion in damage to bridges and roads, affecting about 27,000 families in northern Cebu.
“The P2 billion is only on bridges and roads. Lalaki pa to, hindi pa kasama yung mga eskwelahan (The figure is expected to increase since it didn’t include damage to schools),” Dizon told reporters in Bogo.
Aside from Dizon, also in Bogo were Secretaries Gilbert Teodoro of Defense, Rex Gatchalian of Social Welfare and Development, and Christina Frasco of Tourism.
Based on the PDRRMC report, two bridges collapsed while 7 others were not passable due to the damage while two others were damaged but still passable.
The earthquake also damaged four roads and four churches. One of them — the Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Daanbantayan town — was reduced to rubble.
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