It has been nine years since the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Negros Oriental in 2012 that resulted to the death of over 50 people and destroyed millions of properties and infrastructures.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday marked the 9th year commemoration of the Feb. 6, 2012 earthquake that affected the islands of Negros, Cebu and the nearby islands of Western Visayas region.

At 11:49 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2012, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Negros Oriental, with Intensity 8 categorized as “very destructive” felt in Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, and Guijulngan City in Negros Oriental.

The epicenter of the tectonic quake was plotted approximately 5 kilometers (km) northwest of Tayasan, Negros Oriental and had a depth of focus of 5-10 km.

Authorities recorded a total of 51 deaths and 112 injured people following the strong temblor, which was estimated to have damaged P383 million worth of buildings, infrastructures, and properties.

Because of the earthquake, houses, buildings, and other infrastructure were severely damaged.

Following the quake, a tsunami as high as 5 meters reached Sitio Looc in Barangay Martilo, La Libertad town, Phivolcs said.

The shaking has also caused a landslide in Barangay Solongon, La Libertad town, which has caused the fatalities of about 40 people in the area.

Among the impacts of the quake was liquefaction manifested by lateral spread along the approach of Tuway Bridge, affecting about 100 meters of the road.

Ground deformations were also recorded, as well as uplifting of the coastal area in Barangay McKinley, Guihulngan City which exposed about 1.3-2 meters of gray sandstone.

Phivolcs has urged the public to look back and remember not only the tragedy, but also the lessons learned from that unfortunate day exactly nine years ago.