After a destructive magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu, LyfSaver partners Fyt and YesPinoy Foundation, joined forces with Bike Scouts and AirAsia to carry out a swift relief response, reaching more than 700 families that were devastated by the disaster on September 30, 2025.
The massive quake caused widespread damage, destroying houses, displacing thousands of residents, and cutting off power and water in affected areas.
As part of the coordinated response efforts, the partnership provided essential supplies to affected families, including 247 tarpaulins, around 300 blankets, and 100 ropes to help rebuild temporary shelters.
In addition, the lack of clean drinking water was also addressed by distributing water filters under the Waves for Water (W4W) initiative.
The aid swiftly reached communities still recovering from the disaster, as the partnership, led by YesPinoy Foundation founder Dingdong Dantes, identified urgent needs through its Lyfsaver platform. AirAsia then transported the supplies from Manila to Cebu, and Bike Scouts led the on-ground distribution to the affected communities.
Among the beneficiaries were 68 households in Gaway-gaway, San Remigio, one of the worst-hit towns by the earthquake.
Jasphare John Serafin, the Sangguniang Kabataan councilor in charge of the community, said families had previously relied on makeshift shelters that offered little protection from rain and heat. Residents also had limited access to clean water.
Through the partnership, the tarpaulins and ropes they received in Gaway-gaway helped reinforce shelters, while water filters gave families access to clean drinking water.
“Napaka sobra[ng] blessing ‘yong tarpaulin at ropes na gamit din namin para [sa] shelter,” Serafin said. “Yong filter na binigay nila din, sobrang tulong din ‘pag wala na kaming tubig.”
(The tarpaulin and ropes that we used for our shelters were a big blessing. The filters helped ensure we had potable water to drink.)
Serafin also expressed gratitude to the organizations behind the assistance.
“Maraming salamat po sa walang sawa na tulong sa amin kahit malayo,” Serafin said, adding that he hopes the organizations can help many more people.
(Thank you very much for the unwavering support for us despite the distance.)
Nearly three months after the donations were distributed, families in Gaway-gaway continue to use the aid provided through the partnership.
The tarpaulins and ropes they initially used for emergency shelter are now used in houses to block heat, while water filters are used when water deliveries are delayed or supplies run out.
Serafin said the tarpaulins and water filters distributed through the partnership have remained useful beyond the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, with the community continuing to use them in daily life and keeping them on hand for future emergencies. - fyt.ph
