DOT urges vigilance after magnitude 6.9 quake hits Cebu, placed under state of calamity

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is urging tourists to stay vigilant after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Cebu, which has since been placed under a state of calamity.

The tremor was felt across the Visayas and parts of Luzon and Mindanao, prompting the DOT to advise travelers to confirm destination status before their trips.

Several tourist sites in the affected regions might be temporarily closed as safety inspections are conducted.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco traveled to Cebu to personally assess damage to tourist sites and coordinate with various government agencies for urgent assistance, acting on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

She was accompanied by Cabinet members from the Departments of National Defense, Public Works and Highways, Social Welfare and Development, and Health, along with local government units, to coordinate relief efforts.

Secretary Frasco also instructed the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to deploy teams to inspect heritage churches and tourism establishments in affected areas of Cebu.