Evacuations in Bacolod City, Iloilo City
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A strong tremor was felt throughout the Visayas region after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck yesterday afternoon and causing the evacuation of various buildings in Bacolod City and Iloilo City. Based on information provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake struck around 1:37 p.m. with the epicenter located nine kilometers northwest of San Julian, Eastern Samar.
The earthquake’s magnitude was initially estimated at 6.2; however, Phivolcs later upgraded the measurement to 6.5.
An Intensity IV, which has a vibration similar to a passing heavy truck, was felt in Iloilo City; an Intensity II, where very few feel the tremor, was recorded in Bacolod City and neighboring Bago City; while an Intensity III, where the tremor is more likely felt by those on the upper floor of buildings with sensations similar to the vibrations of a passing truck, was recorded in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
Phivolcs noted, aftershocks should be expected.
In Bacolod City, evacuations were ordered at the Ayala Capitol Central Mall, the Provincial Capitol Building, and the Social Security System building along Lacson Street.
In Iloilo City, employees of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Iloilo Hall of Justice, and the Metro Iloilo Water District were also ordered to evacuate.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. also ordered a suspension of work following the earthquake, while engineers inspected the provincial capitol for any signs of damage. Likewise, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III also ordered a suspension of work.
In a radio interview with Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum, he assured local residents the tremors felt in the Western Visayas would not cause any damage.
In addition, the earthquake in the Visayas is also considered to be far stronger than the 6.1-magnitude quake that struck Castillejos, Zambales on Monday, which caused damage in Central Luzon and Metro Manila, and claimed the lives of 16 people.
Meanwhile, following the Luzon earthquake, Philippine Airlines announced the cancellation of flights PR2331/PR2332, which fly the Clark-Bacolod-Clark route, today due to the closure of Clark International Airport in Pampanga./DGB, WDJ
