The President, in his remarks at the Bogo Tent City, expressed gratitude to all first responders, volunteers, and government agencies for their strong and coordinated response.
He said all displaced families are now staying in shelters where they receive food, water, and other basic services.
He cited the help of the Philippine Red Cross led by its chair, Richard Gordon, for its assistance in providing the temporary shelters
Simple joys bring healing to children
He also recognized the initiative of the Red Cross to set up a kids’ swimming pool in the tent cities.
“Parang maliit lang na bagay, pero hindi, dahil ang mga bata, kahit papaano, talagang nayanig ang isip nila dahil sa lindol. Tapos nawalan ng bahay, tapos lumipat dito. At least, nakita mo na tumatawa na naman, nagsisisigaw. Malaking bagay ‘yan para sa mental health ng ating mga kabataan,” the Chief Executive emphasized.
(It seems like a small thing, but it’s not because these children, their minds were shaken by the earthquake. They lost their homes and were forced to move here. At least, you can see they are laughing again, giggling loudly. That’s a big thing for the mental health of our young people,)
On Friday, Marcos returned to Bogo City and San Remigio town – two of the hardest hit areas in northern Cebu -- to check on the condition of the affected families, more than two weeks after the earthquake.
Bayanihan Village
He went to Bayanihan Village in Barangay Poblacion, San Remigio, to inspect the 45 modular shelter units (MSUs) put up by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The DHSUD worked closely with government agencies including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), as well as at least two private companies, to establish the Bayanihan Village in San Remigio.
Evacuees are presently accommodated in nearby tents in the area.
The MSUs in San Remigio was part of the at least 150 MSUs set up by the DHSUD for earthquake-displaced families in Bogo as well as in Daanbantayan and San Remigio towns.
The DSWD has distributed financial assistance of P10,125 each to families with destroyed homes, and P5,250.00 each to families with damaged homes.
The President also visited the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Barangay Taytayan, Bogo, which was severely damaged by the earthquake.
He also checked on the ongoing repairs in the hospital by the DPWH before proceeding to the Tent City put up in Bogo City.
More MSUs
Marcos said these tents would be replaced by MSUs to provide better accommodations for the evacuees.
“Kung makita ninyo, ‘yung dinaanan nating na Tent City, pinapalitan na natin ‘yung tent at inilalagay na natin ‘yung mas maganda, mas matibay na housing, ating tinatawag na modular shelter na ating bagong binibigay pagka magkakaganito,” the President added.
“As you can see, the Tent City we passed by, we are replacing the tents and putting in better, more durable housing, what we call modular shelters that we are now providing when things like this happen," the President added.
At least 203,359 families (644,177 individuals) were affected by the earthquake in northern Cebu, destroying at least 4,596 houses and damaging 129,156 others.
Based on the 5 p.m. Oct. 17 situational report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the number of fatalities reached 79.
At least 74 sinkholes have been discovered in at least four northern towns – Medellin, Borbon, San Remigio and Tabogon.
Help continues to pour in
The provincial government received P134,311,077.73 in cash donation as of 5 p. m. on Oct. 17 - P842,053.25 in cash, P130,023,500 in checks and P 3,445,524.48 in bank transfers.
In-kind donations reached 580,037 units worth P10,548,246.70.
Water remained the priority needs of families in Bogo City and the towns of Medillin, San Remegio, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Borbon and Tabogon.
Also needed are temporary shelter, food packs, medical supplies and even hygiene kits in some towns.
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