A decade after the Earthquake, Tzu Chi Philippines Strengthens Its Support for Bohol Island

More than 10 years ago, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (BTCF) volunteers from Manila and Cebu arrived in Bohol Island, Philippines, to provide support after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Since then, Tzu Chi Philippines has maintained its presence in the province, building temporary classrooms, constructing housing for vulnerable populations, and providing educational assistance for its students.

A country located in the Pacific ring of fire, at the center of a typhoon belt, and along the boundary of major tectonic plates, the Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters, and in recent years, the typhoons and earthquakes that beset the island nation have increased both in frequency and destructiveness. Many of the country’s residents also suffer from poverty, with an average annual household income of only Php 326,000 (USD 5,770), most of which is used for food and basic daily necessities. This means that most people have low or non-existent savings, making it very hard to restart their lives after a major calamity.

Bohol is a province consisting of Bohol island itself, the tenth largest in the Philippines, and 75 minor surrounding islands. Located in the center of the Visayas Region, the island is a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches, diving spots, and hospitable people.

On October 15, 2013, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the province, killing at least 222 people and damaging over 79,000 structures, including homes, roads, and historic buildings. Just four days later, BTCF had volunteers on the ground to conduct disaster assessments and distribute emergency relief funds and eco-friendly blankets. Unfortunately, in the middle of the ongoing relief work, on November 8, typhoon Haiyan hit Leyte Province, Bohol’s neighbor to the east. Tzu Chi Philippines had no choice but to shift its focus to those with the most urgent need, and the volunteers were re-deployed there for the organization’s biggest and most comprehensive relief operation to date. Before leaving, they promised the residents of Bohol that they would be back soon.

BTCF’s volunteers returned to Bohol in 2014 to carry out post-earthquake reconstruction and provide long-term charitable assistance. They built 150 temporary classrooms and organized rice distributions, educational support, and community care activities in the province. On December 12, 2014, the Tzu Chi Bohol Liaison Office was officially established. To initiate and assist operations, volunteers from Manila and Cebu would fly in every month to offer care, companionship, and inspiration for the local volunteers—efforts that have continued uninterrupted to this day.

Seven years later, in mid-December of 2021, another major typhoon directly hit the Bohol region. Super Typhoon Rai, the second costliest typhoon in the history of the Philippines, resulted in at least 409 deaths and damage to infrastructure and agriculture worth Php 47.6 billion (about USD 951 million) across 10 regions. The storm hit while the country was struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and as Bohol relies heavily on the tourism and agriculture industries, the typhoon further devastated an already struggling province.

Focusing on establishing stability after the devastation, Tzu Chi volunteers first carried out distributions of rice and financial aid, helping to alleviate the food crisis and to rebuild homes, especially in the hardest-hit areas of Inabanga, Sagbayan, and Tubigon. In June 2022, the "Happy Home Project" was launched, where Tzu Chi assisted with the rebuilding of traditional elevated homes, known locally as “Happy Homes,” providing vulnerable residents with a safe and stable place to live. Prioritizing elderly individuals living alone and households of persons with disabilities, these structures, 262 of which have been constructed to date, were especially designed with the needs of the residents in mind, with designs including ramps for wheelchairs and incorporating kitchen and toilets into the main house for easier access.

During visits to previously assisted educational institutions, the volunteers noted the disrepair of the temporary classrooms that were built in the aftermath of the 2013 earthquake, despite maintenance efforts by the local population. The classrooms were only meant for short-term use during the construction of more permanent solutions, however, due to limited funds from the government, after nearly a decade, the temporary classrooms were still being used; among the original 150 classrooms constructed, 56 were still in use in 55 public and private schools. Thus, plans were made to refurbish or replace the classrooms. Today, BTCF’s Bohol Liaison Office is hard at work securing and raising funds to finance construction of permanent classrooms.

Adding to the support on the educational side, 150 second-hand computers and laptops were donated from BTFC’s global headquarters between June 2023 and November 2024. After software updates and minor upgrades, the units were sent to partner institutions including orphanages, schools for hearing and vision impaired students, as well as public and church-sponsored schools within the region. The foundation is also offering scholarships to underprivileged students, enabling them to pursue the education they deserve. Select IT and engineering scholars also received restored laptops, items valuable to their continued education. For the school year 2025-2026, more than 300 scholarships have been awarded, given to students who are going on to schools including Bohol Island State University, Tagbilaran City Colleges, BIT International College, and University of Bohol, among others.

The support provided by the Tzu Chi Foundation has created a virtuous cycle. During the construction of classrooms and Happy Homes, Tzu Chi hired local workers, farmers, and weavers to participate in the rebuilding process. Homes were reconstructed using traditional methods and materials, such as split bamboo panels, woven bamboo walls, and nipa palm thatched roofs, helping both the recipients and the broader community in rebuilding their lives while respecting the natural environment and local traditions. The assistance has also integrated postdisaster reconstruction with the training of local residents in brick-making, construction, and carpentry, on top of providing educational assistance to the island’s youth. These efforts contribute to capacity building of the local population and not just uplifting their current life situations, but also bringing hope for the future.

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a global non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1966 by Buddhist nun Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Its missions of medicine, charity, education, and humanistic culture have brought relief to 136 countries. The heart of Tzu Chi is embedded in its name: in Chinese, “ Tzu” means compassion and “Chi” relief, to relieve the suffering of those in need while creating a better world for all through compassion, love and hope. For more information, visit tzuchi.us. For additional information and media inquiries, welcome to contact us through this form.