By CESAR JOLITO III

The upper floors of Cadiz District Hospital were temporarily closed after minor cracks were found following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province on Tuesday night, September 30.

Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said patients from the fourth and fifth floors were immediately evacuated and transferred to safer areas on the lower levels of the hospital following a site inspection.

“We saw cracks inside the facility, and we immediately ordered the transfer of patients to the lower floors,” Escalante confirmed, adding that provincial engineers have started structural integrity checks.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized that the hospital will not be allowed to use the affected floors until clearance is issued by the Provincial Engineering Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

“It is necessary to have clearance before they can use the facility again,” Lacson said.

While hospital operations continue on the lower floors, Escalante assured that no damage has been detected in school buildings across Cadiz.

He instructed public school administrators to conduct manual inspections to guarantee student safety.

The earthquake, which was centered in Bogo City, Cebu, claimed more than 60 lives from nearby local government units.

PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña reminded the public to remain vigilant, stressing that aftershocks are possible and safety precautions should be observed at all times./CJ, WDJ