By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The southern portion of Negros Oriental was rocked by multiple earthquakes yesterday morning.
Based on a report released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the initial tremor was recorded around 1:21 a.m., eight kilometers west of the town of Valencia. with a magnitude of 3.8 and a depth of four kilometers.
As a result, Valencia, Bacong, and Dumaguete City experienced Intensity IV shaking. Based on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, an Intensity IV may disrupt dishes, windows, doors, along with causing cars to rock.
An Intensity III, meanwhile, was recorded in Sibulan, wherein a few people feel the tremor, particularly those on the upper floor of buildings. In addition, Tanjay City recorded an Intensity II.
Around 4:05 a.m., a quake with a magnitude of 3.9 was recorded nine kilometers west of Valencia, followed by a minor 1.8-magnitude tremor around 4:33 a.m.
Phivolcs noted, all of the tremors recorded are tectonic in origin.
The quakes were not associated with major damages but two landslides at Sitio Cantiso in Valencia’s Barangay Cadiocan temporarily blocking an access road in the area.
The debris was also reportedly removed a few hours later by personnel from the Energy Development Corporation.
Earlier this month, a 2.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded just north of Dauin in Negros Oriental, Additionally, last month, after a 4.5-magnitude tremor was recorded near Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, an Intensity III was felt in Negros Oriental, in Basay and Bayawan City./DGB, WDJ