Bacolod flags unsafe classrooms after Cebu quake

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu and affected Negros Island on Sept. 30, Mayor Greg Gasataya reported that four public schools here have at least one classroom each deemed unsafe for student use.

In Wednesday’s media briefing, Gasataya said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office immediately convened with other agencies to assess damage.

The Department of Education identified the affected schools as Bata Elementary School I, Isla Elementary School, Education and Training Center School I and J.R. Torres Elementary School.

City Engineer Loben Rafael Ceballos said the DepEd reported structural damage but did not provide specific details, and he added that further inspections are needed to determine whether the classrooms require retrofitting or condemnation.

He noted that the buildings may have already been structurally weak and the quake worsened their condition.

Gasataya scheduled a meeting with concerned agencies on Oct. 3 and tasked the City Engineer’s Office to make recommendations, and he assured that if repairs are needed they will be done, otherwise the city will allocate funds for new classroom construction.

Despite the incident, classes in Bacolod resumed on Oct. 2 because no widespread damage was reported.

Ceballos noted that inspections of 15 government buildings found no major structural concerns, with others showing only minor cracks.

Inspections also covered three major public markets — Libertad, Central and Burgos — two Bacolod City College campuses, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bacolod City Police Office.

The Bacolod City Government Center was the first to be inspected and was cleared safe for occupancy, and the Department of Public Works and Highways noted that all 13 bridges had no damage from the tremor.

Two private establishments requested assistance for damage assessments but were advised to consult private engineers due to limited city personnel, although Gasataya said the city remains open to helping if needed.

Dr. Laarni Pornan, CDRRMO head, confirmed that five individuals were treated for minor breathing issues following the quake and were later discharged.

She emphasized the importance of regular earthquake drills to enhance public preparedness.

Gasataya echoed this, urging citizens to remain vigilant and actively participate in disaster drills.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–Negros Island Region assured the public that all persons deprived of liberty in its custody remain safe and secure following the earthquake.

Immediately after the tremor, jail facilities across the region implemented standard safety protocols to ensure the welfare of detainees and personnel, and rapid inspections found no casualties or major damage that compromised security and safety.

Jail Chief Supt. Brendan Fulgencio, BJMP–NIR director, commended the quick response of jail wardens and personnel in safeguarding the well-being of detainees during the incident, saying “The safety of our PDL and personnel is our highest priority. We will continue to monitor our facilities and coordinate with local government units and concerned agencies to ensure readiness in any eventuality.”