Mayor Greg Gasataya has suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools and work in government offices in Bacolod City today, October 1, following a massive earthquake that rocked the Visayas Tuesday night.
Several other town and city mayors in Negros Occidental issued similar orders to allow for the structural safety assessment of school and government buildings.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck 21 km. northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, and was felt across Bacolod City and Negros Occidental at varying intensities.
Gasataya said the suspension of classes and government work was done on the recommendation of the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The earthquake was felt at Intensity V in the city.
Schools are encouraged to shift to synchronous and alternative modes of online learning, he said.
Work in government offices is suspended, except for offices providing basic, vital, and health services, as well as those performing preparedness and response functions, Gastaya said.
Private establishments and offices are strongly encouraged to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis to safeguard their employees, he added.
The earthquake triggered blackouts in some parts of Bacolod City Tuesday night. Negros Electric and Power Corp. reported that the Bacolod-Reclamation 69KV Transmission Line tripped off, resulting in the power interruption.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that the earthquake was felt from Intensity I to VI across various parts of Negros Occidental.
- Intensity VI: Murcia and Manapla
- Intensity V: Bacolod City, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, San Carlos, Toboso, and Talisay City
- Intensity IV: Bago City, Cadiz City, Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, and parts of Binalbagan
- Intensity III: Parts of Binalbagan
- Intensity I: Hinoba-an and Sipalay City
Towns and cities that suspended both classes and work in government offices include Binalbagan and Isabela.
Others that suspended classes only were Bago City, Escalante City, Sagay City, Toboso, EB Magalona, Kabankalan City, Victrias City, and Isabela.*