The Department of Tourism (DOT) reaffirmed that all scheduled events and tourism activities in Cebu will proceed as planned, assuring both local and foreign visitors that the province remains safe and fully operational following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September and subsequent aftershocks.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting local workers and businesses, noting that tourism operations across Cebu and the Central Visayas region remain “business as usual.”
Most public areas, heritage sites, and accommodation facilities have already undergone inspection and were declared structurally sound by authorities.
Following the September 30 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu, the DOT—through its Regional Office VII—conducted multiple post-disaster inspections and coordination meetings with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), along with local government units to deliver immediate assistance and recovery programs.
A total of 2,062 affected tourism workers received food allowances, with emergency cash transfers and livelihood training programs now underway in partnership with national agencies.
The DOT also continues its collaboration with the DTI and SB Corp through the MSME Financing Caravan, providing accessible loan facilities to tourism enterprises impacted by the quake. In coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), ongoing inspections and repairs of tourism establishments and access roads are being carried out to ensure safety and mobility.
Meanwhile, partnership efforts with TESDA aim to deliver alternative livelihood and skills training programs to displaced tourism workers.
Frasco noted that major hotels, ports, and airports in Metro Cebu—including Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Cebu Baseport, and seaports in Santa Fe, Maya, and Kawit—remain fully operational, ensuring continued accessibility for travelers.
No injuries were reported among guests staying at top hotels such as Shangri-La Mactan, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, Radisson Blu Cebu, Seda Ayala Center Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Quest Hotel & Conference Center–Cebu, and Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, all of which reported no structural damage and are operating normally.
Hotels that sustained minor damage have since resumed full operations following safety inspections.
Additionally, dive and island destinations such as Malapascua and Gato Island remain safe for diving and island tours, as confirmed by the Provincial Government of Cebu and accredited dive operators after recent marine ecosystem assessments.