Months after a series of devastating calamities struck the province, numerous families in parts of Cebu were forced to celebrate the Christmas holiday far from their homes, still without access to permanent relocation sites.
A Province Reeling from Sequential Disasters
Cebu was struck by a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025, followed by Typhoon Tino on November 4. These back-to-back disasters resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives across the province. The earthquake's epicenter was located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City.
Stories of Displacement and Uncertainty
For 69-year-old Glenda Lepasana, the holidays were spent in her niece's house. Her own home in Barangay Nailon, Bogo City—situated along a fault line—was declared unsafe for habitation. She explained that with no clear relocation plan in place, she had no choice but to spend Christmas away from her property as aftershocks continued and ground cracks worsened. Aftershocks were still being recorded as late as December 27.
Her home sustained further damage from the subsequent typhoon, which also severely impacted local fishing. Residents reported catching very few fish, a blow to their livelihood.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 disclosed that 5,745 individuals in Cebu, including small-scale fisherfolk, vendors, and shellfish gatherers, were affected by the earthquake's impact on their trade.
Life in Temporary Shelters
In Talisay City, Monica Relatado celebrated Christmas in an evacuation site after her home was swept away by the overflowing Mananga River during Typhoon Tino. She described her holiday as lonely and difficult, adding that life in the gym serving as a temporary shelter was hard due to a lack of water supply and proper washing areas.
Relatado, who is self-employed, lost all her sewing machines in the flood. She has appealed to authorities for construction materials to build a temporary shelter while awaiting word on permanent relocation.
In Cebu City, 52-year-old Nora Arcillas from Barangay Bacayan has begun constructing a temporary shelter on higher ground near the Butuanon River after her house was destroyed by floods. She stressed the structure is only a stopgap measure, as no relocation site is yet available.
Arcillas had to borrow money to buy building materials as she waits. Based on a meeting with City Hall officials in December, relocation to Barangay Budlaan could still take up to five years.
Evacuees continue to hold hope for permanent relocation sites, even as officials state that plans are underway but may face significant delays before implementation.
