Minor cracks in Negros Occidental schools, churches from 6.9 tremor
Cracks on the wall of the Odiong Elementary School in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental from the recent magnitude-6.9 earthquake. (Moises Padilla LGU)
BACOLOD CITY – Several buildings in Negros Occidental, including schools, churches, and government offices, sustained minor cracks in the recent magnitude-6.9 earthquake.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said new cracks specifically near the stairs by the elevator were found at the Cyber Center building here which is under the provincial government but remains operational.
Minor cracks were also observed in some structures in Silay City, including the police station, Hall of Justice, market building, San Diego Cathedral, Balay Puti, a business establishment, Silay Institute, Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School, Saint Therese Academy, and the Department of Education (DepEd).
In Moises Padilla town, the Odiong Elementary School and the Guinpana-an National High School-Odiong Extension had cracks on the walls and floors.
The age of the elementary school building could be a factor as it was built in the 1980s, according to Municipal Engineer Agnes Glia Mabag, who inspected the facilities, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Oct. 2.
The high school building only had minor cracks on the walls while the Montilla Elementary School building and the town’s main evacuation center suffered minor damages. No casualties or injuries were reported in all the affected schools and facilities.
The centuries-old Santa Maria Magdalena Parish in Hinigaran town was affected, particularly a small section of its walls at the back but the damage is limited.
The PDRRMO reported that four persons in Silay City and Isabela town were injured due to fallen objects and illness.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the Provincial Capitol Building in this highly-urbanized city had no structural damage after immediate inspection was conducted by the Provincial Engineering Office.