A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook northern Cebu on September 30, 2025, turning a peaceful night upside down and leaving communities in despair. The disaster took lives, homes, and the lifelines these communities depended on.
The entire Province of Cebu has been placed under state of calamity with the hardest-hit municipalities—Bogo, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabuelan—urgently needing support to rebuild, restore, and recover.
Understanding the need and urgency of the situation, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) has launched its response campaign, Dungan sa Pagbangon. With compassion and solidarity for those affected, RAFI is working to reach vulnerable communities, extend meaningful support, and collaborate with government and local partners to help families rebuild and recover.
Coordinating with Government and Partners
To ensure a unified and effective response, members of RAFI’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) joined a coordination meeting with the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). This collaboration allows RAFI to align its initiatives with government-led relief efforts, ensuring that resources are optimized and reach those who need them most.
Relief Efforts
RAFI’s Emergency Operations Center remains active in assessment and planning to guide its next steps in the coming days. Working closely with local government agencies, RAFI continues to identify needs, and priority communities and areas that remain unreached.
At the heart of Dungan sa Pagbangon is RAFI’s dedication to be present for communities in times of crisis. RAFI recognizes that recovery requires both immediate relief and sustained collaboration with stakeholders. Through collaboration and unified efforts, RAFI seeks to accelerate the path toward recovery for the most affected communities.
RAFI has been part of many relief efforts over the years. In 2022, during Typhoon Odette, it was among the first NGOs to respond, reaching over 1 million individuals in the first phase of its humanitarian assistance.
Our Guiding Philosophy – “Bugsay”
This response effort also reflects RAFI’s guiding philosophy: each of us has a bugsay (paddle). When we paddle together, we can lift and support our fellow Cebuanos, helping them navigate through hardship toward renewal.
