Survivors Face Challenges in Post-Earthquake Philippines

Thu Oct 16 2025 17:31:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake has left the central Philippines in turmoil, with many residents displaced and struggling to secure basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

In the aftermath of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30, survivors in Cebu are grappling with the profound impacts on their communities. Many remain displaced, living in tents as aftershocks complicate their recovery. Rescuers are tirelessly working to provide aid, but challenges in securing essential supplies continue to haunt the area. Despite the hardships, the spirit of community resilience shines through as locals support one another during this crisis.

Two days after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck her hometown in the central Philippines, Arguel Estalicas says she still feels dizzy every time she stands up.

That spinning feeling, coupled with a string of aftershocks, has left the 35-year-old tourism officer and many other survivors too scared to return to their homes, forcing them to live in tents temporarily.

The earthquake shook the northern coast of Cebu, one of the country's most populous islands, on the night of 30 September, jolting many out of their sleep.

It killed at least 68 people and wounded more than 500 others, as homes, buildings, and churches collapsed, and roads cracked.

I still couldn't process what has happened to us, Ms. Estalicas tells the BBC. I am overwhelmed with the things we experienced in the last two days.

The 35-year-old lives in Medellin town, near the quake's epicenter. Disaster response officials say the earthquake displaced nearly 80,000 people across Cebu and nearby provinces. Cebu is a major trading and transportation hub in the central Philippines.

She said she got out of bed screaming when the earthquake struck and ran outdoors with her family.

They slept under the open sky, but when a light drizzle fell, Ms. Estalicas and her family wrapped themselves up in plastic bags because they did not have raincoats.

About 10km away, in San Remigio municipality, Lourenze Pareja also spent the night outdoors on the night of the earthquake.

When the ground started shaking, Mr. Pareja said he grabbed his phone and ran to the street to livestream the unfolding chaos—neighbors in pajamas leaving their homes, with their children and pets in tow.

Lord, the 25-year-old community journalist said in the livestream, calling out to God, seemingly unable to say much else.

He said he checked neighboring Bogo town and saw solar lamps casting a dim glow over streets strewn with boulders.

What was once a vibrant city has turned into a ghost town, he said.

However, daily necessities remain a pressing concern for many.

The Philippines is vulnerable to natural disasters, located on the geologically unstable Ring of Fire. The Cebu earthquake on Tuesday is among the strongest and deadliest in recent years.

On Thursday, rescuers searched through rubble as authorities worked to deliver food, restore power and communication lines, and clear roads of debris. However, immediate supplies like water and food, especially for children, are not yet available.

Despite their present challenges, Cebu locals like Ms. Estalicas and Mr. Pareja are hopeful that they could survive the earthquake, as they did after previous calamities, with the spirit of community resilience shining through.