Cebu has officially lifted its province-wide state of calamity months after a powerful earthquake and a destructive typhoon struck the province.
The Cebu Provincial Board approved the resolution on Monday, ending the emergency declaration that had been in place since last year.
The measure, authored by Board Member Lakambini G. Reluya, followed the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The council said its assessment showed conditions had stabilized in most affected areas, allowing the province to shift from emergency response to recovery and rehabilitation.
“WHEREAS, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), after thorough assessment and evaluation of the current conditions in the affected areas, has determined that the situation has stabilized and that the Province is now capable of transitioning from emergency response to recovery and rehabilitation,” reads a portion of the resolution.
The state of calamity was declared after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on September 30, followed by Typhoon Tino on November 4.
Both disasters caused widespread damage across Cebu, affecting infrastructure, disrupting economic activity, and displacing thousands of families.
With the lifting of the declaration, provincial officials said government operations can now fully return to normal, with resources redirected toward long-term recovery efforts.
Reluya said the move would restore normal governance operations and support ongoing development initiatives.
Authorities noted that emergency response operations, including evacuations and relief distribution, have largely been completed. Evacuation centers have also closed in most areas, while access to basic services and goods has normalized across the province.
Officials, however, said recovery efforts remain ongoing in at least 19 of the hardest-hit areas, including several northern Cebu towns and urban centers.
The PDRRMC said local government units in affected areas may still declare localized states of calamity if conditions require it.
“While the province-wide state of calamity be lifted, local government units in hardest-hit areas may still declare localized states of calamity should conditions warrant,” the council said.
The resolution also directs continued rehabilitation and disaster resilience programs across the province.
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment figures estimate nearly P20 billion is needed to rebuild northern Cebu, excluding additional typhoon damage.
The earthquake and typhoon left billions in damages and significant economic losses across infrastructure, agriculture, and social services. Authorities also recorded dozens of fatalities and thousands of injuries. (SBA)
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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