Day: October 1, 2025

Cebu city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the government is assessing the damage caused by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu, on Tuesday night. During a visit to Masbate City, Marcos shared that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has traveled to Cebu to evaluate the situation. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the government’s commitment to providing assistance to those displaced by the earthquake. He acknowledged the strength of the quake and expressed concern over the significant number of casualties. More than

Davao: Representatives from various government agencies and civil society organizations have officially established the Crisis Communication Cluster in the Davao Region to enhance communication methods during disasters. According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative aligns with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) 2024, which emphasizes integrating early warning systems with risk communication. In an interview, Rene Carbayas, regional director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 11, stated that the cluster aims to create an end-to-end communication system, ensuring messages reach the ‘last mile’ to mitigate disaster impacts. The region is susceptible to threats from floods, landslides, and

Cebu: Newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has directed priests in northern Cebu to suspend Masses inside their respective churches following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province Tuesday night. In a press conference Wednesday, Msgr. Renato Beltran said Uy instructed the temporary suspension of holding masses in northern Cebu to prioritize the safety of clergy and parishioners while structural inspections of churches are being conducted. According to Philippines News Agency, the instruction was specifically for northern churches because the quake severely impacted the area. Msgr. Beltran also advised priests across the region to conduct thorough checks of all churches

Manila: Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday assured senators that the Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing its quick response fund (QRF) and tapping Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage to assist victims of the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu Tuesday night. According to Philippines News Agency, during the Senate Committee on Finance’s deliberation of the DOH’s proposed 2026 budget, Herbosa revealed that at least PHP166 million remains in the agency’s QRF. These funds are earmarked for immediate needs such as medicines, surgical supplies, and the repair of damaged health facilities in Cebu and Masbate. The Health Emergency Management Bureau

Manila: State-run Social Security System (SSS) announced that it has begun accepting applications for its newly launched MySSS Card. According to Philippines News Agency, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro stated that the MySSS Card, which was launched on September 8, serves as an official identification card, replacing the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card. The card also functions as a fully operational debit card linked to a savings account, enhancing the financial management capabilities of SSS members. De Claro highlighted that the MySSS Card is equipped with an EMV chip and integrated with the Philippine