The Loboc Church, a 17th-century Baroque structure and National Cultural Treasure in Bohol, suffered catastrophic damage during the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck on October 15, 2013. (Contributed photo)
Former First District Bohol Congressman Atty. Edgar Migriño Chatto shared his firsthand experience of how Bohol managed to rise from the ashes as the province commemorated the 2013 Great Bohol Earthquake.
Chatto recounted his experiences leading Bohol’s recovery efforts as provincial governor during an Oct. 17, 2025, episode of Newsmakers ug Uban Pa, hosted by Kabataan For Change.
Having spearheaded the province’s recovery, Chatto intimately knows the challenges Bohol faced in the aftermath of the earthquake and how it successfully navigated toward rehabilitation and growth.
Bohol marked the quake’s 12th anniversary on Oct. 15, 2025 — a period that starkly tested leadership and resilience, ultimately showcasing the province’s capacity to overcome adversity and recover.
Chatto vividly recalled the events of that fateful day, describing it as a pivotal moment that put leadership to the test.
He considered himself lucky that the Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response had been organized a year prior to the quake, enabling swift and effective response to the needs of Boholanos.
When Chatto assumed Governor in 2010, he noted that Bohol lacked an institutionalized disaster response mechanism, making TaRSIER’s presence crucial in mitigating the earthquake’s impact.
The situation would have been far more dire without TaRSIER, he noted, citing the extensive damage to bridges and roads inflicted by the earthquake.
To streamline response efforts, Chatto divided response teams into clusters, personally overseeing the organization of each, including those dedicated to recovery and rehabilitation.
He implemented a system to source funds specifically for infrastructure recovery and rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, Chatto has been anticipating a more relaxed life following decades of public service.
Having been a stalwart figure in Bohol’s political landscape for several years, he had looked forward to a tranquil existence as a private citizen.
However, he remains accessible, attending to visitors and addressing their concerns.
Chatto now devotes time to farming and farm tourism, adopting these as new advocacy areas.
Additionally, he continues to champion climate change initiatives, leveraging his experience as former chair of the House panel on climate change and promoting meaningful environmental legislation.
Bohol Marks 2013 Earthquake Anniversary
Boholanos on Monday commemorated the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol province in 2013, an event that killed 222 people and tested the resilience of Boholano communities.
Church bells and sirens sounded across Bohol at 8:12 a.m. for 22 seconds, marking the exact moment the quake hit on Oct. 15, 2013, following a directive from the provincial capitol.
The anniversary took on heightened importance following recent major earthquakes in northern Cebu and the Davao region, which were felt in Bohol and stirred memories of the 2013 disaster among residents.
The 2013 earthquake’s epicenter was located near Sagbayan town at a depth of 12 kilometers, according to government records. The disaster left eight people missing and more than 2,000 injured.
The province faced compounded difficulties as Visayas regions, including Bohol, had already suffered damage from Supertyphoon Yolanda, known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan.