A strong earthquake shook Hinoba-an town in southern Negros Occidental causing some residents to panic and run out of offices and homes at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, Mayor Daph Reliquias said.
“The earthquake was short but very strong, it was felt by the entire town and neighboring areas,” he said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, which it later corrected to be 4.8, hit Hinoba-an at 3:37 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
It was tectonic in origin and was felt at Intensity V in Hinoba-an, it said.
Phivolcs said an Intensity V quake is strong and is generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors.
“Many sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run outdoors,” it said.
“Strong shaking and rocking are felt throughout a building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink, some are broken. Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable,” Phivolcs added.
Reliquias said there was minor damage at their municipal hall. Part of the canopy at the entrance fell off, he said.
The Hinoba-an earthquake was felt at Intensity IV in Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, Intensity III in San Jose de Buenavista and Hamtic in Antique and Iloilo City, and Intensity II in Sibulan and Intensity 1 in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental,
The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said power transmission services in Negros Occidental remained stable following the earthquake.
“The grid remains intact as there had been no reported cases of power interruptions and damaged transmission facilities in areas where the earthquake was felt,” it said.*