South Cotabato Extends Relief Assistance to Typhoon Tino Victims in Cebu Province

The Provincial Government of South Cotabato, under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., is once again demonstrating the true spirit of bayanihan as it extends relief assistance to Cebu Province, one of the hardest-hit areas by Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) that devastated several parts of the Visayas.

Governor Tamayo has instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), headed by Rolly Doane Aquino, to organize and dispatch a relief mission carrying essential supplies and support to families severely affected by the typhoon.

“After providing relief to disaster-affected families in South Cotabato, Governor Reynaldo Sucayan Tamayo Jr. has directed me to dispatch assistance to Cebu Province, leveraging the support and resources mobilized from the people of South Cotabato,” Aquino said.

“The team is set to depart for Cebu Province at the earliest possible time,” he added.

Based on the latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Typhoon Tino left at least 66 people dead, over 40 injured, and more than 200,000 individuals displaced across Eastern and Central Visayas, including the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte. With sustained winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Tino brought torrential rains and destructive winds that caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread power interruptions, prompting the declaration of a state of calamity in several areas.

Governor Tamayo said that the province’s humanitarian mission to Cebu forms part of South Cotabato’s broader commitment to help fellow provinces in times of calamity, emphasizing that compassion and solidarity must transcend geographical boundaries.

The latest mission also follows South Cotabato’s earlier assistance to Cebu during the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Northern Cebu, where the province was among the first to respond and provide emergency support - reflection of its readiness and consistent humanitarian response.

PDRRMO Aquino assured that while aid is being sent to Cebu, South Cotabato remains fully prepared to address any local emergencies, with teams on standby and resources adequately prepositioned across the province.

The South Cotabato relief contingent will coordinate closely with the Cebu Provincial Government, and other national and local agencies to ensure the efficient transport and distribution of relief goods to affected communities.

As Typhoon Tino exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the people of South Cotabato stand united with Cebu and the rest of the Visayas in recovery and rebuilding efforts - proving once again that compassion, unity, and public service know no boundaries.