A hospital, two churches, and several schools in Negros Occidental sustained minor cracks and damages following Tuesday night’s earthquake.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported on Wednesday. Oct. 1, that two persons sustained injuries from falling objects in Isabela, and two others in Silay City suffered from difficulty breathing.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the Cadiz District Hospital sustained minor cracks on its fourth and fifth floors. Patients were transferred to other areas, but hospital operations have not stopped.
PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña said the main building is structurally sound, and the first and second floors are safe for occupancy. However, the third to fifth floors are currently unsuitable for use due to broken glass windows and frames, she said.
There were 118 admitted patients evacuated at the Cadiz District Hospital.
The San Carlos City Hospital personnel also evacuated all its patients out of the hospital Tuesday night as the earthquake rocked San Carlos City.
A total of 151 patients were successfully relocated to secure grounds, the hospital reported.
The San Carlos City Disaster Rish Reduction and mMnagement Office recommended that all patients remain on the ground floor to enable swift evacuation in the event of aftershocks.
A small section at the back of the Sta. Maria Magdalena Parish Church in Hinigaran also sustained damage, parochial vicar Fr. Gerardo Caro Jr. said.
They are awaiting assessment from the Hinigaran engineering department, but the church remains open.
Construction of the historic church reportedly began in 1858 and was completed in 1881.
Ploteña also reported minor cracks near the stairs of the Negros Occidental Cyber Center in Bacolod. Other affected structures include the PNP office, Hall of Justice, San Diego Pro Cathedral, a market building, two business establishments, and several school buildings in Silay City, she said.
To ensure safety, classes were suspended in 28 local government units, and government work was suspended at the provincial level and in nine LGUs on Wednesday.
Lacson said with government offices found to be structurally safe folowing the earthquake, work at the provincial government will resume on Thursday.
The earthquake also affected the power supply in 12 Negros Occidental LGUs.
An updated PDRRMO report on Wednesday showed the earthquake Tuesday night was felt at:
• Intensity VI: Murcia
• Intensity V: San Carlos City, Toboso, Moises Padilla, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Isabela, Calatrava, Silay City, Talisay City, Victorias City, Bacolod City, Escalante City and EB Magalona
• Intensity IV: Himamaylan City, Sipalay City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Ilog, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, Cauayan, Pontevedra, Sagay City, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Manapla, parts of Binalbagan, La Carlota City, and Salvador Benedicto
• Intensity 3: Candoni and parts of Binalbagan
• Intensity 1: Hinoba-an*