Local News: 6.9-Quake Hits Negros Island; Death Toll Rises, Several Missing

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Negros Island at 11:49 a.m. yesterday, with its shock waves reverberating through other islands in the Visayas, and killing more than a dozen people and many more missing, authorities said.

The quake, with its epicenter off the waters of Tayasan town in Negros Oriental with a depth of 10 kilometers, also damaged at its height the neighboring province of Negros Occidental, and neighboring islands Panay, Guimaras, and Cebu.

In Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, several government buildings and malls have cracked walls and floors, while a bridge in Talubangi, Ilog has cracks on the joint portion, Vicfran Defante of the Provincial Disaster Management Division Program (PDMDP), said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia suspended classes in all levels yesterday, and shut down public offices. He also urged private offices to do the same, saying. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

But Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. did not suspend office at the Provincial Capitol. He ordered the employees to stay put so that the Provincial Capitol would be ready to respond to possible disasters as an aftermath of the quake.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) placed the Visayas under Tsunami Alert No. 2 but lifted the order at 2:30 p.m.

The PDMDP reported that as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the quake resulted to the cracks in Sagay and Cadiz City halls. The Unitop building in San Carlos City also has cracks.

The Provincial Buildings were not spared, either. In the Old Capitol Building, cracks were found in the SP, Vice Governor’s, Accounting, and Public Affairs offices. In the Provincial Administration Center, cracks were also found in PSWDO, DILG, PHO-Clinic, and PHO-Administrative Office, the report said.

In southern Negros Occidental, the bridge in Talubangi, Ilog had cracks, while the right side of the lobby of the Gaisano mall in Kabankalan had cracks, the PDMPP added.
The sulfur pool of Mambukal Resort was also affected.

The Himamaylan Hospital’s new buildings had cracks on the walls and floors, while the Himamaylan gym has cracks, including the Western Visayas State University campus in said town.
Fatalities

Media reports said more than a dozen people have been reported killed in Negros Oriental as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Benito Ramos reported at past 4 p.m. yesterday that a total of seven have been confirmed dead.

Ramos disclosed that four of the fatalities were recorded in Guihulngan City, two in Tayasan town and one more in Jimalalud.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, however, announced in a television interview that a total of 11 people have been confirmed dead in his province.

He said nine of the fatalities were killed in a landslide in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City. He added that more than 20 people remain missing.

Guihulngan City Mayor Ernesto Reyes reported earlier that as many as 30 houses were buried by the quake-triggered landslide. He earlier reported that 29 people were missing
NDRRMC reported that the strong quake was followed by more than 40 aftershocks as of 2 p.m. The two strongest aftershocks were measured at magnitudes 4.8 and 5.3, and 6.2.

The quake was felt strongest at Intensity 7 in Dumaguete City and Vallehermoso town in Negros Oriental. It was also felt at Intensity 6 in La Carlota City and La Castellana towns in Negros Oriental and Argao town in Cebu province.

In the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), Intensity 7 was described as “destructive.” It said that during an Intensity 7 quake, people in upper floors may find it difficult to stand and heavy objects and furniture may overturn or topple.

“Old or poorly built structures suffer considerable damage. Some well-built structures are slightly damaged,” the Phivolcs said in the PEIS.

The areas of Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan in Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon town in Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni and Binalbagan towns Negros Occidental felt the quake at Intensity 5.

The quake was also felt at Intensity 4 in San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon towns in Antique; Kalibo in Aklan province, Dipolog City, Sipalay in Negros Occidental and Ormoc City.

It was also felt at Intensity 3 in Butuan City in Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City; Intensity 2 in Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin and Intensity 1 in Pagadian City.

The tsunami warning was raised to put on alert the residents in coastal areas, particularly in the eastern portion of eastern Negros Oriental and the western portion of Cebu province.

“People are advised to stay away from the shoreline. People should not go to the coast to watch the tsunami. People whose houses are very near coastal areas in Negros and Cebu islands are strongly advised to be watchful,” the agency added.

The Philippine Coast Guard also prevented all sea vessels plying Cebu and Negros provinces from making trips as long as the tsunami alert level was in place.
Buildings collapse, bridges damaged

Degamo reported that at least eight bridges were damaged by the strong earthquake and three of which are not passable.

Negros Oriental police chief Edward Carranza said that the temblor damaged many houses in Guihulngan City and he ordered his men to help displaced residents find shelter. A public market also collapsed.

Work at government offices and classes in all school levels in Negros, Cebu and Iloilo provinces were suspended due to the strong earthquake.* (DBDangcalan/with reports from The Philippine Star)