No reported damage in Cebu after magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Visayas, Bicol Region

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has cautioned local disaster officers to monitor the safety of structures within their areas of jurisdiction.

Julius Regner, information officer of the PDRRMO, said that as of 4 p.m. today, April 23, no damage has been reported yet from the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Leyte and Samar as well as cities in Region V or the Bicol Region.

The earthquake was also felt in different parts of Cebu province.

READ MORE: Phivolcs upgrades Eastern Samar earthquake to magnitude 6.5; Intensity 3 felt in Cebu

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As of press time, Regner said at least 13 local government units confirmed to have felt the ground shaking.

These include the towns of Asturias, Poro, Daanbantayan, Aloguinsan, Santander, Sibonga, Minglanilla, San Francisco, San Remigio, and Madridejos and the cities of Danao, Bogo and Lapu-Lapu.

“Usa gyud na sa atong mga gitan-aw karon ang structures especially kadtong dili kaayo lig-on and dunay mga tawo pirmi like the schools or other public offices. Bantayanan gyud kaayo na,” Regner said.

(We are looking at the structures especially those which are not sturdy but are frequented by many people. These structures include schools and other public offices. We are paying extra attention on those.)

“Kun structural atong hisgotan, kasagaran sa mga building daan na. Mao sad na ang atong gipaabot sa mga disaster officers nga if ever dunay mga ingon ana nga building sa ilang lugar if possible ma-advisan gyud nato sila nga ayuhon or usbon,” he added.

(If we discuss structural concerns, there are many old buildings. This is why ee advise our disaster officers to have these buildings repaired or rehabilitated if they have these types of buildings in their towns.)

Regner said they will continue to monitor for possible damages as they await the feedback of the local disaster officers from other towns.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, in a statement, also urged Cebuanos to stay alert and be prepared for possible aftershocks.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale encouraged Cebuanos to pray for the safety of everyone, especially for provinces hit by the earthquakes.

Yesterday, a magnitude 6.1 tectonic earthquake was also felt in several areas in Luzon.

The ground shaking’s epicenter was identified at 2 km northeast of Castillejos in Zambales at 5:11 p.m. on Monday, April 22.

READ MORE: Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes parts of Luzon

“We would like to ask everyone to remain cautious, and may we offer prayers for everyone’s safety, especially for Samar, and those in Luzon that was also badly hit by an earlier quake,” Magpale said. / celr