Iloilo Capitol, Casa Real safe after quake

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Capitol and Casa Real de Iloilo remain structurally sound following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, and sent tremors across the Visayas, including Iloilo.

Iloilo Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig said inspections conducted on Wednesday morning, Oct. 1, focused on a rapid visual assessment to check for new cracks or the widening of existing ones.

“Our inspection showed that cracks mostly occurred at the joints of different materials, such as masonry or concrete walls and drywall partitions, as well as fiber cement panels,” Andig said in an interview.

“We also noted cracks on window headers and minor widening of existing cracks on the dome’s perimeter, from 2 mm to 4 mm,” he added.

He emphasized that these were non-structural defects affecting finishes that do not bear structural loads.

“The key structural components, such as columns and beams, are intact, and no significant structural defects were observed,” he stressed.

Andig said preparations are ongoing to seal exterior cracks and apply window sealants to prevent water intrusion during heavy rain and strong winds.

He added that plans for addressing newly observed interior cracks are being evaluated.

He reassured the public that the Capitol building’s structural design can withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 7 or 8.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” and authorities note that earthquake magnitude measures energy at the source while local shaking is reflected by intensity felt on the ground.