The 2013 Bohol earthquake occurred on October 15, 2013, at 8:12 a.m. (PST) in Bohol, an island province located in Central Visayas, Philippines. The magnitude of the earthquake at the epicenter was recorded at Mw 7.2, located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) SW of Sagbayan town, at a depth of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). It affected the whole Central Visayas region, particularly Bohol and Cebu. The quake was felt in the whole Visayas area and as far as Masbate island in the north and Cotabato provinces in southern Mindanao. According to official reports by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 222 were reported dead, 8 were missing, and 976 people were injured. In all, more than 73,000 structures were damaged, of which more than 14,500 were totally destroyed. It was the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines in 23 years. The energy released by the quake was equivalent to 32 Hiroshima bombs. Previously, Bohol was also hit by an earthquake on February 8, 1990 that damaged several buildings and caused a tsunami. On November 7, just 3 weeks after the quake, Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the region. Although the storm’s eye missed the area affected by the earthquake, it sent some 40,000 Boholanos still living in temporary shelters back to evacuation centers and disrupted relief efforts in the province.
Once the typhoon hit most relief efforts focused on the Tacloban area and the earthquake was old news. Early on it was not safe or helpful for large groups particularly youth to go on relief trips to the major areas of Yolanda destruction. We were able to do a small part to refocus on an area that was affected by both natural disasters. We partnered with IDEA Philippines which is an organization that educates and helps to employ the deaf. They have been working in the Philippines over 30 years and saw the opportunity to help in the effort to provide relief. Our team was able to finish destroying and re-construct a duplex type house in just a few days. From our western perspective it sure didn’t feel like we were giving them much but to them, we were giving them a home. Idea has been able to construct a modular type housing offsite to be able to bring in and construct a house where a tent shelter is in a matter of about 4 days. These “core homes” cost approximately $750 and yes, even now they are still needed. If you’d like to purchase a home, here’s how.
