By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) yesterday cautioned residents living near mountainous areas of the province to be on the lookout for landslides which may possibly be triggered by earthquakes.

PDMPD head Zeaphard Caelian issued the warning after a series of earthquake swarms between late Monday evening to Tuesday.

As of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, a total of 30 earthquakes were recorded, all taking place near the province’s Sipalay City.

The strongest was recorded at 4:12 a.m. yesterday with a magnitude of 4.6.

Instrumental Intensity IV or moderately strong shaking was felt in Sipalay City, while Intensity I was felt in Bago City.

Caelian said all of the earthquakes were caused by the movement of the Negros Trench which is located off the coast of Sipalay City.

According to the PDMPD head, the quakes are not serious concerns, pointing out that the series of tremors is natural.

He even pointed out that an earthquake swarm is far better compared to a major earthquake which can release a greater amount of energy compared to a swarm.

However, due to the rains generated by Tropical Depression “Lannie,” rain-soaked ground is softer which could then trigger landslides.

Caelian pointed the example of the Southern Leyte mudslide in 2006, wherein aside from the torrential rains, geologists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also suspected that the slide was triggered by an earthquake as prior to the incident happening they also recorded a 2.6 magnitude tremor taking place in the area.

As for the effect of “Lannie” on the province, Caelian said they did not record any flooding incidents when the storm passed by the island, although scattered rain showers were experienced throughout Monday evening./DGB, WDJ