By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has placed its units on full alert and launched coordinated monitoring operations following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Bogo City in Cebu province and was felt on Negros Island on Tuesday night, September 30.
PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said all police units were directed to conduct situation assessments in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs), the Bureau of Fire Protection, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to check for possible damage or casualties.
“As of now, there are no major reports of damage or loss of life. But our personnel are on standby to provide assistance and ensure peace and order should aftershocks or related incidents occur,” Ibay said in a statement.
The earthquake was felt in nearby provinces such as Negros Occidental, but initial assessments showed no widespread damage.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, as aftershocks remain possible.
Meanwhile, Ibay appealed to residents to remain vigilant and prioritize safety by heeding advisories from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and their respective local disaster offices.
“Let us all respond with calm, discipline and readiness,” Ibay emphasized, assuring the public that PRO-NIR is committed to safeguarding lives and property across Negros Island.
Data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that Intensity 6 was reported in the towns of Murcia and Manapla.
Intensity 5 was felt in Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, San Carlos City, Toboso, Bacolod City, and Talisay City.
Intensity 4 shaking was recorded in Bago City, Cadiz City, Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, and parts of Binalbagan, while Intensity 3 was observed in other portions of Binalbagan.
Intensity 1 tremors were reported in Hinoba-an and Sipalay City.
Class suspension
Face-to-face classes at all levels were suspended yesterday in the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Kabankalan, Sagay, Silay, and Victorias, as well as in the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Hinoba-an, Manapla, Murcia, Moises Padilla, San Enrique, and Toboso.
The LGUs that canceled both in-person classes and government work yesterday are the cities of Himamaylan and La Carlota, as well as the towns of Binalbagan, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Isabela, Hinigaran, La Castellana, and Pontevedra.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental provincial government also suspended work at the Capitol.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the move was meant to prioritize public safety while authorities conducted inspections.
“The suspensions are necessary to conduct immediate structural damage assessments and ensure the safety of students and employees,” the province said in an advisory.
All schools were also directed to inspect facilities and report findings to their respective damage assessment teams.
In capital Bacolod, Mayor Greg Gasataya also ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels in the city yesterday following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, except for departments that provide basic, vital and health services, as well as those performing preparedness and response functions.
“We also conducted an inspection of our facilities at the Bacolod City Government Center [BCGC] to ensure that there was no damage,” Gasataya said.
He said the BCGC was safe and ready for occupancy with no structural damage following the Intensity 5 earthquake felt in the city on Tuesday night.
The infrastructure at the Bacolod City Police Office and Bacolod City College were also declared safe, with no major structural damage or defects.
Meanwhile, Gasataya also strongly encouraged private establishments and offices to conduct their own rapid damage assessment and needs analysis to “safeguard the safety and welfare of their employees.”
“Departments are also working together to inspect public buildings such as markets, schools and other government offices. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is also open to assisting private establishments in assessing their buildings to ensure employee safety,” he added./CJ, WDJ