5.8 earthquake in Southern Leyte: Roads damaged, classes suspended
INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY — The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit waters off a Southern Leyte town on Thursday morning caused damage to roads and prompted local government units to suspend classes.
The provincial government of Southern Leyte reported that several roads, including those in Barangays Amaga and Himay-angan, as well as roads in Liloan town, were rendered impassable due to fallen debris and severe cracks caused by the quake.
The earthquake occurred at 7:39 a.m., January 23, and its epicenter was located six kilometers (km) east of San Francisco municipality.
“Residents and travelers are advised to avoid these areas for their safety. Clearing operations and assessments are underway, and updates will be provided as soon as possible,” the provincial government said in a statement.
READ: Earthquake of 5.8-magnitude hits waters off Southern Leyte town
Article continues after this advertisementSan Francisco Mayor Benedicta Tiazon ordered the suspension of classes in the entire town following the earthquake.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, along with policemen and fire personnel, were immediately deployed to inspect all 22 barangays to assess the extent of the damage in the municipality, located about 70 kilometers from the provincial capital of Maasin City.
“School children who panicked were picked up by their parents,” a local police officer said in a phone interview.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the temblor was felt across all 18 towns and Maasin City in Southern Leyte.
The tectonic earthquake had a depth of 14 kilometers and was also felt at varying intensities in other parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Phivolcs likewise issued the following:
- Intensity 5 – Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Juan, and San Ricardo.
- Intensity 4 – Bontoc, Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, Silago, Sogod, Tomas Oppus, and Maasin City.
- Intensity 3 – Cebu City; Alangalang, Albuera, Barugo, Burauen, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Santa Fe, Tanauan, and Tolosa in Leyte; Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.
- Intensity 2 – Babatngon, Isabel, and Palompon in Leyte; Cagayan de Oro City.
- Intensity 1 – San Francisco, Cebu; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; and Mambajao, Camiguin.
Phivolcs warned residents in the affected areas, particularly in Southern Leyte, to brace for possible aftershocks following the earthquake.
