It was designed as a sanctuary – 200 ‘disaster-proof’ homes, funded by a charity, specifically built to shield families from the kind of ferocious winds that had ripped through their lives during a devastating typhoon in 2013. This village was supposed to be a new beginning.
Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, this same village has become a focal point of loss in a fresh natural disaster. A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu Province late Tuesday, and by Wednesday, authorities confirmed 69 fatalities. Rescue teams are now desperately sifting through the wreckage, searching for dozens still unaccounted for.
Wilson Ramos, an emergency responder, reported that at least 10 individuals perished in the SM Cares Village. This community was built over a decade ago for those who endured Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), a catastrophic event in 2013 that claimed over 6,000 lives across the Philippines.
Watch: Rescue Efforts Underway
Dozens have been killed after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Cebu Province in the Philippines on Tuesday, triggering urgent search and rescue operations. (Credit: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)
“This community was specifically designed to protect typhoon survivors and those from high-risk coastal areas,” explained Mr. Ramos. “While it’s been over a decade since Haiyan, we cannot yet confirm if those who perished were indeed the original typhoon survivors, but this village was truly meant to be their safe haven.”
This recent earthquake marks the deadliest seismic event to hit the Philippines since 2013.
In response to the catastrophe, Cebu’s Governor Pamela Baricuatro has declared a state of emergency across the entire central Philippine province. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, a deputy administrator for civil defense, stated in a press briefing that rescue and relief operations are primarily concentrated on the northernmost tip of Cebu’s main island, particularly in Bogo City, home to the now-devastated SM Cares Village, which was founded in 2014.
“Our immediate and overwhelming priority is search and rescue,” emphasized Mr. Alejandro.
Beyond its role for Haiyan (locally known as Super Typhoon Yolanda) survivors, the SM Cares Village was also envisioned as a safe haven for residents relocating from vulnerable coastal danger zones.
Mikee Empaces, an executive secretary in the governor’s office, confirmed that ceilings in many SM Cares Village homes tragically collapsed during the earthquake.
Medical Aid Amidst Chaos
Patients are receiving urgent care at makeshift treatment centers set up outside a hospital in Bogo City, following the earthquake on Wednesday. (Credit: Ted Aljibe/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)
Jeany Ynot, head of Bogo City’s disaster unit, reported devastating losses, stating, “Some families were completely wiped out, and in other tragic instances, multiple members of a single family perished.”
SM Cares, the philanthropic division of one of the Philippines’ largest corporations, founded the village. They had not yet responded to requests for comment by Wednesday evening.
Extensive Damage in Bogo City
Photographs show significant damage to buildings in Bogo City. Authorities are focusing their response efforts on the northern tip of Cebu’s main island, where the destruction is most severe. (Credit: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)
Beyond the collapse of buildings, the earthquake triggered massive landslides, burying many under tons of soil and boulders, Ms. Ynot revealed. The mountainous village of Binabag suffered particularly severe impacts.
Civil defense official Mr. Alejandro noted that the Bogo City district hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of injured patients, prompting his office to request immediate additional medical personnel.
National Response Mobilizes
In Manila, members of the Philippine Coast Guard and medical teams were seen loading essential supplies onto a ship on Wednesday, preparing to dispatch aid to the affected regions. (Credit: Lisa Marie David/Reuters)
Damage to critical infrastructure is extensive across the region. Officials reported at least 11 bridges rendered unusable, crucial roads obstructed by landslides, and government facilities—including Bogo City Hall, a municipal hall in a neighboring town, and a sports complex—either partially or completely destroyed.
According to Ms. Empaces, two to three hospitals are now non-operational, and vital power and communication services have been cut off in at least three municipalities, compounding the crisis.
Cultural Heritage Damaged
The ruins of a religious site stand as a stark reminder of the earthquake’s power in Daanbantayan, Cebu Province, photographed on Wednesday. (Credit: Associated Press)
Public works teams are being deployed to Cebu to assess building safety, with a critical focus on hospitals, schools, and roads, Mr. Alejandro confirmed. In Bogo City alone, approximately 1,000 residents are currently displaced, forced to seek refuge in open areas until their homes are certified safe.
“Restoring power instantly and ensuring the structural integrity of all remaining buildings are our top priorities,” Mr. Alejandro concluded, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Widespread Destruction
The scale of infrastructure damage across Cebu Province is immense, affecting homes, public buildings, and transportation networks. (Credit: Ted Aljibe/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)