IN PHOTOS: The aftermath of the 6.9 magnitude quake in Cebu
Residents of Cebu received a massive shock when a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the province in the dead of night, killing at least 60 people and leaving around 140 others injured.
The powerful quake rocked Cebu at exactly 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Its epicenter lied 10 kilometers beneath the surface.
Several buildings and pieces of infrastructure, including bridges, were severely damaged, prompting immediate evacuations throughout the affected areas.
Most notably, the quake proved to be too much to bear for the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in the town of Daanbantayan. The structure sustained heavy damage, with parts of its facade being reduced to rubble.
Despite the centuries-old church's fall, its retablo image of Santa Rosa de Lima miraculously remained unscathed.
Other than the tabernacle where the blessed sacrament is kept, the miraculous retablo image of Santa Rosa de Lima was one of the few Images in the shrine that wasn't damaged by the earthquake. The other unscathed images so far are the Virgen del Carmen and The Immaculate Conception," the church said in a Facebook update.
Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has asked all parishes and rectories to undergo a structural assessment following the recent earthquake. Parishes in the North that have been gravely affected are instructed to refrain from using their churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until competent experts have certified the safety of the structures.
Responding to the disaster, police and rescuers rushed to provide first aid and welfare services to those injured and traumatized by the earthquake.
However, the initial event was followed by continuing aftershocks that rattled the province and kept residents uneasy.
Teresito Bacolcol, Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said in an interview on Unang Balita that there have been a total of 347 aftershocks recorded as of 3:00 a.m. on Oct. 1, with magnitudes ranging from 1 to 4.8.
"Inaasahan natin na magkakaroon pa ng mga aftershocks in the next few days. Sometimes the aftershocks would last for several weeks," he said.
"But habang tumatagal naman, humihina yung number, bumababa yung number ng aftershocks natin and humihina din yung magnitude," he added.
Residents are advised to consult their municipal or city engineers if they see visible damage in the structures they are living in, as these may be further compromised by the aftershocks.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross is working to send urgently needed blood units to the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo.
The blood mobilization aims to help patients who may need transfusions due to injuries and other medical issues.
PRC Chairman Richard Gordon reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to delivering aid and support during times of crisis.
"Mahalaga na may mabilis at madaling access sa dugo ang ating mga kababayan. Sa ganitong panahon ng sakuna, sisiguraduhin ng Red Cross na walang pasyenteng mapapabayaan," he said.