A magnitude 5.8 earthquake that hit Bogo City in Cebu at 1:06 a.m. Monday, October 13, also rocked parts of the Negros Island Region (NIR) with intensities varying from I to V.
Bacolod City and several other local governments (LGUs) canceled classes so they could inspect the structural integrity of classrooms.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially reported the Bogo quake at magnitude 6 but later corrected it to magnitude 5.8.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that Escalante City experienced the strongest shaking in the region at Intensity V.
The tremor was recorded at Intensity III in Kabankalan City, Cadiz City, Murcia, Pulupandan, Isabela, Toboso, Manapla, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, EB Magalona, San Enrique, Bago City, Valladolid, and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental.
It was also at Intensity III in Canlaon City, Guihulngan City, Tanjay City, Amlan, and San Jose in Negros Oriental.
It was recorded at Intensity II in Himamaylan City, Bacolod City, and parts of Binalbagan in Negros Occidental, and Dumaguete City, Bacong, Sibulan, and Valencia in Negros Oriental.
Most of Binalbagan registered the lowest shaking at Intensity I, the PDRRMO said.
Class suspensions for all levels on Monday were implemented in Bacolod City, Talisay City, and Bago City.
Other institutions that suspended face-to-face classes included the Binalbagan Catholic College in Binalbagan, the Doña Monserat Lopez Memorial High School and the Silay Institute in Silay City, the PDRRMO reported.
In Negros Oriental, classes were suspended in Manjuyod, Pamplona, Tanjay City, Bindoy, and Bais City.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) initially reported no damages.
OCD Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III reiterated that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has instructed LGUs to conduct earthquake simulation drills and strengthen preparedness for earthquakes and tsunamis, particularly because of the presence of the Negros trench.*