Sipalay CDRRMO personnel inspecting a school building*
The number of buildings found unsafe for use at the Gil Montilla National High School (GMNHS) following the earthquakes that hit Sipalay City in Negros Occidental has increased to six, Dionilo Bogtae, Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management coordinator, said on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
He said the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) help has been sought to conduct a structural integrity validation of the buildings at the GMNHS.
A Department of Education Schools Division of Sipalay City report on Wednesday said that after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit on September 30, four buildings at the GMNHS were initially advised not to be used.
On October 7, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit Sipalay again, which resulted in additional cracks and the widening of existing cracks at the school buildings, it said.
Following a validation and assessment, it has been advised to temporarily stop using six school buildings at GMNHS – Main until further notice, the report said.
Tests to determine the safety of the buildings must first be conducted, it added.
“Though the buildings are still structurally stable as per inspection, it’s still unsafe for the students and teachers because cracks and damages are increasing with every movement due to earthquakes, and we can’t tell when the next earthquake will occur,” the report added.
CALL FOR PRAYERS
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson called on Negrenses to pray that earthquakes will not occur in Negros Occidental or in any part of the world.
“Prayers will be the strongest weapon against an earthquake,” he said.
He also called for continued prayers for the survivors of the Cebu earthquake so their lives can return to normal.*