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Full operations at Cebu International Port resumed October 1 late morning following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu evening of September 30
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Power for quay-side facilities has been restored while all equipment were confirmed to be fully operational and safe
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The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which was almost 96 kilometers away from the epicenter, was back to normal operations an hour after the earthquake struck
Full operations at Cebu International Port (CIP) resumed on October 1 following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu in the evening of September 30, according to cargo-handling operator Oriental Port & Allied Services Corp. (OPASCOR).
In an advisory on October 1, OPASCOR said power from the Visayan Electric Company has been restored to CIP’s quay-side facility as of 10:45 a.m. Its technical teams have also completed structural integrity and safety checks on gantry cranes, with all equipment confirmed to be fully operational and safe.
“Safety assessments have been conducted, and we confirm that the port remains safe and secure. Our utmost goal is to continue serving our clients with dedication and reliability, even in the face of challenges,” OPASCOR said in a separate statement on the same day.
Immediately following the earthquake Monday night, the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) restricted access to port terminals, offices and areas with stacked containers or cargo until a full structural assessment by the CPA Engineering Services Department has been completed to determine the integrity and safety of all affected facilities.
It also suspended the collection of terminal fee on Piers 1 and 3 during the conduct of assessment.
By Tuesday late morning, the CPA said no significant damage was found at the Pier 1 passenger terminal and it has been declared safe for public use. Normal operations resumed at 11:00 a.m. For Pier 3, terminal operations resumed 11:20 a.m. but with restricted access within the pre-departure area.
Meanwhile, operations at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport was back to normal around an hour after the earthquake struck, with the epicenter about 95.6 kilometers north of the airport.
The Department of Transportation in a separate statement also said results of inspections at ports and airports in Cebu “confirmed that no visible damage was sustained” and that all staff and passengers are safe, and transport services continue as normal.
The earthquake struck Cebu’s northern tip near Bogo City at 9:59 p.m. on September 30, causing massive infrastructure damage and power outage in several areas. As of 10:54 a.m. of October 1, the death toll from the earthquake was reportedly at 53.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu has declared the entire province under a state of calamity to speed up the release of funds for emergency response, ensure immediate delivery of aid to affected residents, and allow the fast-tracking of rehabilitation efforts in severely impacted areas.
