By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Leyte, near the town of Jaro, yesterday afternoon, with tremors felt in parts of Negros Occidental.
According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head Zeaphard Caelian, the highest intensity felt in the province, based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), was an Intensity IV, described as “moderately strong,” it is said to be equivalent to the passing of a heavy truck.
An Intensity IV was reported in Sagay City, while an Intensity III was felt in Bacolod City and Calatrava and an Intensity II was registered in Bago City and La Carlota City.
The earthquake is also to blame for blackouts throughout the province, particularly Bacolod City.
According to Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ceneco) corporate planning department manager, Engr. Leomel Tambanillo, the quake affected submarine cables between the islands of Leyte and Cebu, creating an oversupply in Negros, which tripped off substations in Bacolod City.
Meanwhile, Escalante City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Rolly Pondevilla, said, following the earthquake, city hall employees were sent home early./WDJ