ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Zamboanga City Government has mobilized successive waves of humanitarian assistance to Cebu Province following the devastation caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City earlier this week.
On Wednesday night, October 1, Mayor Khymer Olaso dispatched a 19-member rescue and relief team composed of personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Health Office, and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). Led by Abdel Kanti of the CDRRMO, the team included doctors, nurses, social workers, and rescuers, bringing with them the initial batch of aid—300 sacks of rice, 1,000 boxes of canned goods, and 1,000 jerry cans of water. Traveling by land through Dapitan City, the team arrived in Cebu City Wednesday night and immediately reported to the Provincial Government Command Center for coordination.
The Zamboanga Rescue Team also met with Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who expressed gratitude to Mayor Olaso and the people of Zamboanga for their swift support. The relief goods were delivered to the Provincial Warehouse, while members of the team were scheduled to provide medical services at Bogo Hospital and conduct search and rescue operations in affected communities.
On Thursday night, October 2, Mayor Olaso reaffirmed Zamboanga’s solidarity with quake-affected Cebuanos by dispatching a second wave of aid in a send-off ceremony at Baliwasan Seaside. The shipment consisted of 700 sacks of rice (25 kilos each) from the CSWDO, 20 boxes of canned sardines, and another 1,000 jerry cans of water. In addition, Mayor Olaso personally donated 1,000 bags of rice containing two kilos each, drawn from his own funds.
The relief cargo was securely transported aboard two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels—the BRP Tubbataha and BRP Capones—bound for Cebu. Joining the voyage was Assistant CDRRMO officer Clint Senosa, tasked with ensuring proper coordination and monitoring of operations.
Mayor Olaso thanked Commodore Rejard V. Marfe, Commander of Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, along with the commanding officers and crew of both vessels, for their partnership in the relief mission. Before departure, the mayor penned a message in the PCG guest book, wishing the crew a safe voyage. In turn, the Coast Guard presented him with a commemorative cup, symbolizing their shared commitment to humanitarian service.
“Zamboanga stands with Cebu in this time of crisis,” Mayor Olaso said, underscoring the city’s commitment to extend immediate aid and solidarity to those affected by calamities.