Pope Leo XIV has extended his prayers and heartfelt sympathies to the victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the central Philippines earlier this week, as the death toll rose to 72.
Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu said he personally received a call from Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, who relayed the pontiff’s message of solidarity.
“The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, called me to convey the Holy Father’s heartfelt sympathies for all the survivors of the earthquake, and his prayers for the eternal repose of the victim,” Uy said.
The pope also prayed for the safety, healing, and swift recovery of the affected communities. Uy noted that the Holy Father holds the Philippines close to his heart, recalling his visits to Cebu in 2004 and 2010 when he served as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.
Province under state of calamity
The entire province of Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity following the rising number of casualties, widespread infrastructure damage, and the disruption of essential services.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 294 people were injured, nearly 600 homes destroyed, and around 200,000 individuals severely affected, particularly in Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter.
Archbishop Uy appealed for prayers and material assistance and directed unaffected parishes to “adopt” quake-hit parishes to ensure immediate relief and aid. He also instructed that structural assessments be carried out in churches and rectories across the archdiocese, especially in the badly hit northern districts.
“We are thankful that in this area, there were no lives lost compared to other parts of Cebu, where a lot of lives were lost. But in this place our church has been greatly damaged,” Uy said, referring to the centuries-old Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan.
Survivor struggles and aftershocks
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that many families remain displaced as hundreds of aftershocks continue to rattle the province. In Bogo, a small chapel has become a temporary shelter for 18-year-old Diane Madrigal and 14 of her neighbors.
“The entire wall (of my house) fell so I really don’t know how and when we can go back again,” Madrigal told AFP. “I am still scared of the aftershocks up to now, it feels like we have to run again.”
Lucille Ipil, a 43-year-old mother of four, also told AFP that the scarcity of water has compounded the hardship. “The earthquake really ruined our lives. Water is important for everyone. We cannot eat, drink, or bathe properly,” she said.
Dozens of patients were also being treated in tents outside the damaged Cebu provincial hospital, AFP added.
Church and Caritas mobilize
Caritas Manila has pledged immediate support, working in coordination with Caritas Cebu.
“First of all, we pray for the safety of the Cebuanos. We are ready to help in the relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of those affected by the earthquake. We are ready to help through Caritas Cebu,” said Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila.
He emphasized the importance of solidarity in easing the suffering of survivors and helping them rebuild.
Uy likewise assured the faithful that the Church’s mission will continue: “God is with us.”
National response
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro appealed for urgent assistance in the form of safe drinking water, food, clothes, and temporary housing, as well as volunteers to help distribute aid.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Cebu on Thursday to inspect the damage. AFP reported that he visited a partially damaged housing project in Bogo originally built for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, where eight bodies were recovered from collapsed houses following the quake.
Authorities estimate that more than 110,000 people in 42 communities will need long-term assistance to rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.
Despite the devastation, Uy said the pope’s expression of closeness offers strength to the faithful in Cebu. “God is with us,” he said.
