Massive Relief Convoy Departs Davao for Storm-Hit Cebu
A humanitarian convoy consisting of 16 trucks loaded with essential relief goods departed from Davao City Hall Drive in the early hours of Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The mission is to provide critical support to the victims of Typhoon Tino in Cebu Province, demonstrating a powerful act of inter-island solidarity.
Essential Supplies and Financial Assistance
According to Alfredo Baloran, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the cargo is a substantial shipment of aid. It includes approximately 4,000 family food packs, 2,000 bottles of water, along with medicines and other vital items desperately needed by affected families.
In a statement to GMA Super Radyo Davao, Baloran emphasized the city's commitment, saying, "We delivered welfare goods from the people of Davao City. Once again, the city government is assisting Cebu following the impact of Typhoon Tino."
Beyond the physical goods, the relief team also transported a significant financial aid package worth ₱3.9 million. This cash assistance is designated for the Cebu provincial government and several local government units that were previously placed under a state of calamity due to a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025.
The breakdown of the financial aid is as follows:
- ₱1 million for the Cebu provincial government.
- ₱500,000 for Bogo City.
- ₱300,000 each for the municipalities of Medellin, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Madridejos, Sogod, Tabuelan, San Remigio, and Borbon.
This funding is sourced from the 30-percent Quick Response Fund (QRF) of Davao City's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. Officials confirmed that Davao City still retains around ₱200 million in its QRF, reserved for potential local emergencies. The trucks are expected to arrive at the Cebu Provincial Warehouse on Thursday, November 13.
The Widespread Devastation of Typhoon Tino
The urgent need for this aid is underscored by the severe impact of Typhoon Tino on Cebu and the entire nation. As of November 11, official reports from the Office of Civil Defense paint a grim picture:
- Cebu alone accounts for 150 of the 232 recorded deaths nationwide.
- Of the 112 people still missing across the country, 57 are from Cebu.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that the typhoon affected approximately 1.1 million families, or about 4.1 million people, spanning nearly 8,000 barangays. Central Visayas was among the hardest-hit regions.
The storm caused catastrophic damage to housing and livelihoods. Nationwide statistics reveal:
- 134,949 houses were damaged.
- 20,510 houses were completely destroyed.
- Agricultural losses surpassed ₱157.9 million.
- Infrastructure damage reached an estimated ₱179.6 million.
This relief effort from Davao City is a crucial response to a disaster that has left deep scars on communities, highlighting the enduring Bayanihan spirit that Filipinos are known for in times of crisis.
