6.2 quake strikes off Negros; several villagers flee homes

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the coast of Negros island early yesterday, prompting several residents to evacuate, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. No tsunami alert was issued.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the quake struck at 4:47 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 78 kilometers southwest of Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

It was felt at Intensity 5 in Sipalay City, Kabankalan and Cauayan in Negros Occidental; and Intensity 4 in Iloilo City; Oton, Iloilo; Dumaguete City; Binalbagan, Hinigaran and Sibulan, all in Negros Occidental.

The tremor was also felt at Intensity 3 in Lapu-Lapu City; San Jose and Anini-y, Antique; Roxas City; Panay, Capiz; Dapitan City; Talisay City, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City; Hamtic, Antique; Sagay City; and Intensity 2 in Cagayan de Oro City; La Carlota City, Negros Occidental; Buenavista, Agusan del Sur; and Patnongon, Antique.

Residents in Kalibo, Lezo and Banga towns in Aklan, La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Zamboanga City slightly felt the event at Intensity 1.

Sixty-four aftershocks, two of them with magnitudes of 5.7 and 5.5, were recorded as of noon yesterday.

The US Geological Survey put the initial quake at magnitude 6.6.

At 4:56 p.m. yesterday, a magnitude 5.3 quake struck 75 kms southwest of Anini-y, Antique. It was felt at Intensity 4 in Sipalay; Intensity 3 in Cebu City; and Intensity 2 in San Jose, Antique; Jordan, Guimaras; Dipolog City; and Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.

As of press time, the Provincial Disaster Management Division of Negros Occidental reported no casualty in southern Negros Occidental where the strong earthquake struck.

Judel Carino, the division’s weather informant, said residents of Barangays 1,2, 3, 5, Nabulao, Gil Montilla, Canturay, Maricalum and Cayhagan in Sipalay evacuated to Camp Valdez in Barangay Gil Montilla and other sites.

Mayor Oscar Montilla ordered the suspension of all classes in all levels in the city. Several commercial establishments also closed for the day.

In Hinobaan town, Mayor Teresa Bilbao also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels and work in government offices. Residents of Barangays 1, 2 and Bacuyangan also evacuated.

In Cauayan town, residents did not flee their homes but Mayor John Rey Tabujara ordered them to be on alert. The situation in 13 coastal barangays was being closely monitored. – With Danny Dangcalan