Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez sought the help of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Friday, August 26, to investigate the recent tremors that shook two barangays in Victorias City and damaged classrooms at the Negros Occidental National Science High School (NONSHS).
Benitez in a letter to Raul Laput, MGB Western Visayas regional director, said that on August 24 and 25 it was reported to his office that ”earthquakes” were felt in barangays 10 and 14 in Victorias.
A three-story building with several classrooms at the NONSHS was affected “showing damage which appear to be worrisome, if not significant and substantial”, Benitez said.
For the safety, security and peace of mind of the school officials, students and parents, Benitez said he was asking the MGB to investigate, inspect and assess the building affected at the soonest possible time.
Benitez on Thursday said the tremors caused cracks on the walls of 24 classrooms in the building.
Benitez said the PHIVOLCS had not reported any earthquakes in Victorias, but residents of the two barangays said they felt the tremors.
They have requested the PHIVOLCS national office to investigate a possible new fault line in the area, the mayor said.
Benitez said they also requested the Department of Public Works and Highways to look at the structural engineering of the NONSHS building that was affected by the tremors.*