The students of the Kabankalan Catholic College move to an open field as a mild earthquake shakes their school.* photo via The KCC Chronicle
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that jolted Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. Friday was also felt at Intensity I to III in various parts of Negros Island Region, and triggered the cancellation of classes in several areas.
Students in several schools in Bacolod City and Kabankalan City exited school buildings for open spaces as slight tremors hit.
Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria suspended all classes in Negros Oriental as a precautionary measure.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gastaya also suspended all face-to-face classes in Bacolod City on the recommendations of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Department of Education-Division of Bacolod City.
The city government advisory urged schools to shift to modular distance learning, and performance tasks and projects to ensure that learning competencies are met.
The cities of Himamaylan, Talisay and Kabankalan . and municipality of Hinigaran in Negros Occidental, also suspended classes because of the earthquake, Irene Bel Ploteָña, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said.
She said the earthquake was felt at Intensity I in Ilog, Sipalay City, Himamaylan City, EB Magalona, Silay City, Escalante City, Talisay City, Sagay City and San Enrique; Intensity II in Don Salvador Benedicto, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Murcia, Kabankalan City and Cauayan; and Intensity III in Hinigaran.
It was felt at about Intensity I to II in Bacolod City, Donato Sermeno, Negros Island Region Office of the Civil Defense director, said
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake was felt at Intensity II in Sibulan and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental.
A slight tremor was also felt in Siquijor, Sermeno said.*