Cebu Officials Commend PCSO’s Quick Earthquake Response

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has praised the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for its fast and decisive action following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces on September 30. Baricuatro acknowledged the PCSO’s rapid mobilization of aid and its commitment to public service through its Bayanihan Aid Caravan, which delivered immediate relief and medical support to affected residents. She noted that the PCSO was among the first national agencies to reach the hardest-hit areas, saying, “We are deeply grateful to PCSO for your rapid response and for reaching out to help so quickly when Cebu needed it most.”

Rapid Mobilization and Relief Operations

Within hours of the earthquake, the PCSO activated its regional branch offices and coordinated with its authorized agent corporations (AACs) to distribute essential items, including food packs and hygiene kits, to affected communities. The agency then deployed its Bayanihan Aid Caravan across northern Cebu, distributing ChariTimba packs, relief goods, and evacuation kits to towns such as Bogo City, San Remigio, Medellin, Borbon, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Santa Fe, and Madridejos. The operation highlighted the PCSO’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively, ensuring that even remote and coastal areas received critical support.

Strengthening Medical Response in Cebu

In addition to providing relief goods, the PCSO enhanced the province’s healthcare response by donating 11 new ambulances or patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units. The beneficiaries included Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Naga City, Alegria, Asturias, Consolacion, Madridejos, Poro, San Francisco, Tabogon, and Tuburan. Governor Baricuatro emphasized that these new vehicles will play a key role in improving emergency medical access, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. She described the donations as “a critical resource enabling faster medical responses for remote communities.” The governor also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his leadership in ensuring that national agencies such as the PCSO were mobilized quickly to provide aid during the crisis.

PCSO Commends Field Teams and Partners

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles commended the dedication of the agency’s field personnel and partner organizations who worked tirelessly despite logistical challenges. He said, “Every minute counted after the quake. Our presence mattered most in those crucial moments. Seeing our teams and partners traverse land, air, and sea to reach affected communities was a reaffirmation that public service is not only our duty—it is our calling.” Robles noted that the PCSO’s quick and visible presence in the disaster zone underscored its role as a dependable arm of government relief operations.

Local Leaders Express Gratitude

Mayors and local officials from the recipient municipalities expressed their appreciation for the PCSO’s assistance, saying that the ChariTimba relief packs and donated ambulances would significantly enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities. They described the PCSO’s initiative as a clear example of how national and local agencies can effectively collaborate during emergencies to deliver timely and meaningful aid.

Continuing Relief Efforts in the Visayas

The Bayanihan Aid Caravan is set to continue its operations across other provinces in the Visayas region, reaffirming the PCSO’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in times of disaster. The agency’s continuing efforts reflect its broader mission of promoting social welfare and strengthening community resilience. Through its consistent disaster response initiatives, the PCSO remains a key government partner in humanitarian aid and recovery efforts, showing that its mission extends far beyond lottery operations and into nation-building.