The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has warned that a magnitude 7.5 earthquake striking Central Cebu could result in casualties and widespread devastation. The alert follows a forum held by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) in Cebu City on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, where officials highlighted active faults capable of generating a major seismic event often referred to as “the Big One.”
Active Faults in Central Cebu
According to Phivolcs, the Central Cebu Fault System comprises four major faults: the Balamban Fault, Central Highland Fault, Uling-Masaba Fault, and Lutac-Jaclupan Fault. Among these, the Uling-Masaba Fault has the potential to trigger a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, while the other faults could produce earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.4 to 6.9. Additionally, the offshore Bogo Bay Fault, a newly discovered fault system in northern Cebu, was responsible for the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that occurred in September 2025.
Preparedness Measures
Dennis Pastor, head of the Cebu PDRRMO, stated that his office is actively preparing for the possible impacts of a major earthquake. “We expect casualties, building collapses, power interruptions, and damage to airports and seaports,” Pastor said. He emphasized that the severity of destruction would depend on factors such as the earthquake’s distance from populated areas, its magnitude, and depth. Communities located near active faults are likely to experience stronger ground shaking and more severe consequences.
Pastor drew comparisons to previous destructive earthquakes that affected Bogo City in northern Cebu and General Santos City in Mindanao. “If the fault line is near, we expect its effect to be severe,” he warned.
Training and Response Capabilities
To enhance the province’s readiness, the PDRRMO has continued training personnel in urban search and rescue operations and disaster response. Cities such as Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay, along with other local government units, have prepared emergency responders for large-scale emergencies. The office has also intensified public information campaigns on earthquake safety, covering preparation, response, and post-quake actions. Coordination with concerned agencies and continuous monitoring of geological developments are ongoing.
Evacuation Sites and Medical Readiness
Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced that the Provincial Government has identified and prepared facilities for use during major disasters. One key site is the former headquarters of the Visayas Command (Viscom), which has been kept available as an evacuation center. “That is why I did not allow it to be used because we need space for evacuation,” Baricuatro explained during a press conference on Wednesday, June 10.
The governor also confirmed that district hospitals across the province have been instructed to remain ready to accommodate patients in the event of a large-scale emergency. “We made sure that our hospitals are ready,” she said.
Mobile Aid and Challenges
To strengthen emergency response, the province has prepared mobile clinics that can be deployed to affected communities where access to healthcare may be disrupted. Additionally, the Provincial Capitol’s mobile kitchens are on standby to provide ready-to-eat meals to displaced residents if evacuation operations become necessary.
Despite these preparations, Baricuatro acknowledged that earthquakes are among the most difficult disasters to prepare for because they cannot be predicted. “Nobody will ever be completely prepared for an earthquake,” she said. She expressed hope that the September 30, 2025, earthquake near Bogo City would be the strongest seismic event Cebu will experience, even as authorities continue to prepare for worst-case scenarios. “We hope that it was already ‘the Big One’ that they meant,” Baricuatro added.
