A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Candoni, Negros Occidental, at 3:06 a.m. Monday, November 3, and shook several other provinces, but no damage has been reported.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that a “Big One” could hit Negros that is located near the Negros Trench and “the best defense against it is prayers that we will be spared”, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz said the earthquake was strong but brief.
He said their inspections showed no damage to buildings since there are no highrise structures in his town.
Candoni is preparing for the onslaught of Typhoon “Tino” and evacuation centers are safe for use, he said.
Eric John Monserate, Candoni Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said only minor cracks were reported at the Caningay National High School but they are subject for verification to determine if they are new ones caused by Monday’s quake.
He said he felt the earthquake at his home in Candoni. It was like a vehicle passing over his roof and the ground shook, he said.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was felt at:
Intensity IV in Candoni, Negros Occidental,, and Dumaguete City and Sibulan Negros Oriental;
Intensity III – Jordan, Guimaras; Bago City, La Carlota City and Sipalay City, Negros Occidental;
Intensity II – Malinao, Aklan; Culasi, San Jose, Sebaste, and Valderrama, Antique; Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Argao, Cebu City; Dipolog City, Liloy, Sindangan, and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur;
Intensity I – Anini-y, Antique; Jamindan, City, Roxas, and Tapaz, Capiz; San Lorenzo, Guimaras; Bacolod; Talibon,Bohol; and Asturias, and Talisay City, Cebu.*