16 NIRAAM billeting schools in Bacolod declared safe after tremor

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Sixteen of the 17 schools serving as billeting centers for nearly 10,000 delegates of the Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) 2026 in this city have been declared safe for occupancy following a magnitude 5 earthquake on Monday night.

The declaration came after a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) conducted by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) upon the directive of Mayor Greg Gasataya.

Gasataya immediately ordered the activation of RDANA to monitor the situation and evaluate any possible structural damage, with no major incidents reported as of press time.

Engr. Froilan Julag-ay II of the CEO said inspection teams examined walls, floors, and other structural components of several educational institutions to ensure the safety of NIRAAM delegates.

Among the facilities inspected were the Bacolod Special Education (SPED) Center, Rizal Elementary School, and Education and Training Center School (ETCS) I, II, and III.

Julag-ay assured delegates and officials that the billeting venues are structurally sound and safe. “The delegates have nothing to worry,” he said.

Other billeting centers include Bacolod City National High School, Luisa Medel National High School, Jose R. Torres Elementary School, Andres Bonifacio Elementary School, Antonio L. Jayme Elementary School, Mansilingan Agro-Industrial High School, Handumanan Elementary School I and II, Silay South Elementary School, Don Hofileña Memorial Integrated School, Silay SPED Center, Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School, and MG Medalla Integrated School.

Inspection remains pending for Negros Occidental High School (NOHS).

The tremor was felt at Intensity II in the city, with the epicenter located in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Gasataya urged residents to remain calm, stay alert for possible aftershocks, and await official updates from the city government.

The Department of Education — Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) also confirmed that safety preparations had been completed prior to the weeklong sporting event, which runs until March 7.

A contingency plan has been prepared in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and other concerned government agencies to address any natural calamities that may arise during the meet.

Meanwhile, the University of Negros Occidental — Recoletos (UNO-R) shifted all classes to online mode on Tuesday, March 3, to prioritize the safety of students and faculty and to allow time for building inspections.