Man loses 3 family members to Cebu earthquake

The human cost of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City last September 30 continues to be felt in the neighboring town of Tabogon. 

According to Ian Cruz’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the provincial government of Tabogon recorded five fatalities, four of them residents of Barangay Pio that is situated at the foot of a mountain. 

Joemar Brigoli lost his grandmother, sibling, and young daughter after their home was destroyed by boulders that fell from the slope. He was still able to rescue his sibling and daughter from the rubble, and brought them to the hospital. Unfortunately, both died eventually due to the severity of their injuries. 

Brigoli recalled that her daughter, who lost both her legs, asked him if she could still possibly walk, attend school, and see her mother. 

“It really pains me so much. I cannot handle it. But we have to stay strong because it already happened…I’m always thinking about them,” he shared while in near tears. 

Tabogon Port wrecked 

Among the damaged infrastructure in Tabogon is the local port which was rendered almost unusable due to the strong earthquake. 

The local Coast Guard had to evacuate its headquarters and are now building tents as their temporary office. 

“The Coast District Central Visayas coordinated with us if the ships carrying relief goods could dock in the port. But we said it’s not possible right now,” he said PO2 Armon John Dela Pena, Commander of PCG Substation Tabogon. 

Only small cargo vessels and boats currently are able to use the port. 

The earthquake damaged several infrastructures including the Nipa Bridge that connects Tabogon and Borbon. The bridge is now impassable to the public due to its weakened state. 

In Barangay Bili in Borbon, a two-storey house collapsed due to the tremor on the evening of September 30. Resident Doray Urut’s body was onl recovered in the afternoon of the following day. Her husband survived the tragedy.

“It hurts so much. We’ve been calling for rescue several times,” said Renate Arnado-Narvasa, the youngest sister of the fatality.

Due to the damage caused by the tremor, travel time from Cebu City to Northern Cebu can take as long as 12 hours.  —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News