5.1 tremor rocks Sipalay City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, at around 8:04 a.m. on Tuesday, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Ptolemy Maniego, science research assistant at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, said the tremor was also felt at Intensity I in Bago City and Intensity II in Iloilo, though no major damage or casualties were reported.

The earthquake caused buildings of Sipalay City National High School to shake, prompting students to calmly exit their classrooms while following earthquake drill procedures like “duck, cover, and hold.”

Classes resumed shortly after the quake, but teachers reminded students to stay alert at all times.

Sipalay City Mayor Gina Lizares, in a media interview, mentioned feeling two quakes: one at 5:30 a.m. and the stronger 5.1-magnitude tremor later in the morning.

She noted that while Sipalay is near the Negros Trench and is no stranger to seismic activity, they remain cautious following recent events in Cebu.

PHIVOLCS reported three quakes in Sipalay City on Tuesday morning, with magnitudes of 3.5 at 5:58 a.m., 4.9, and 5.1.

Maniego clarified that the tremors in Negros originated from a local fault, separate from the geological structures that triggered the Cebu earthquake.

PHIVOLCS has reassured the public that while aftershocks are expected, they do not pose significant danger.

Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Toboso also experienced a series of earthquakes on Monday, prompting the suspension of classes at all levels on Tuesday.

Mayor Richard Jaojoco announced the class suspension through a Facebook post on Monday night.

PHIVOLCS reported five earthquakes on Monday night — magnitude 1.5 at 7:55 p.m., 3.4 at 7:56 p.m., 3.4 at 8:05 p.m., 2.3 at 8:18 p.m., and 1.9 at 10:31 p.m.

Jaojoco said there was no reported damage from the series of tremors on Monday evening, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

During the Sept. 30 earthquake that severely hit northern Cebu, Toboso also felt the tremor at Intensity V, which impacted other areas in the province.