Quake rocks Negros, Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - Some classes were suspended in Cebu City yesterday after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake was felt in the city and in other parts of the Visayas.

According to the report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs),  the earthquake was recorded at 1:21 pm.

Some private schools in the city like the University of San Jose Recoletos suspended its classes in its main and Basak campus, as well as the Cebu Institute of Technology-University.

Some college levels resumed classes two hours after the tremor hit.

The earthquake was measured at its epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers and located 10.05 N, 122.40 E or 26 kilometers N, 71 W of Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

It was felt at intensity 3 in Cebu as well as in Dumaguete City, intensity 4 in Bayawan and intensity 5 in Tayasan, all in Negros Oriental.

The tremor was also felt at intensity 5 in Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Hinobaan, Pontevedra, and Sipalay in Negros Occidental, intensity 4 in Sigma, Capiz and Alimodian, Iloilo and intensity 3 in Kalibo and Lezo, Aklan; and intensity 2 in San Jose, Antique.

According to Phivolcs’ science research analyst Engr. Joe Molas, the earthquake was triggered by a shift of the tectonic plates of the Negros Trench.

No tsunami alert was issued in the areas affected by the earthquake.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Oriental has not received any reports of damage due to the earthquake, said Capitol spokesperson Adrian Sedillo.

In Bacolod City, colleges and universities suspended their classes in all levels because of the earthquake.

The schools are the University of St. La Salle (USLS), University of Negros Occidental—Recoletos, West Negros University, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, Riverside College, and Bacolod City College.

The Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod evacuated their students during the earthquake, but the school resumed classes after an inspection showed the school buildings were safe.Students in public elementary and high schools across the city were also evacuated in gymnasiums and open spaces.

At SM City Bacolod, which is situated in the Reclamation Area, building personnel and security guards also helped evacuate shoppers.

— with Danny B. Dangcalan/Judy Flores Partlow/MBG (FREEMAN)