Iloilo suspends classes in 125 schools after magnitude 4.8 quake

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Jennifer P. Rendon

Face-to-face classes were suspended in 125 schools across Iloilo City and province on Tuesday, March 3, after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck southern Iloilo, with state seismologists logging six additional tremors in Panay and Guimaras within the next 24 hours.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially recorded the quake at magnitude 5.0 before downgrading it, placing its epicenter about 5 kilometers southwest of Guimbal town, with a depth of 11 kilometers, and of tectonic origin.

The quake struck at 6:13 p.m. Monday.

Intensity IV, described as “moderately strong,” was felt in Guimbal, Miagao, Tigbauan, Oton, and Iloilo City. Intensity III was reported in parts of Antique and Negros Occidental, while Intensity II was logged in several areas in Aklan and Negros Occidental.

Phivolcs also recorded five additional tremors ranging from magnitude 1.5 to 2.5 in Jordan and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras, the latest being a magnitude 2.5 tremor in Jordan at 5:46 a.m. Tuesday. A magnitude 2.4 earthquake was also recorded in Guimbal at 12:04 p.m. Tuesday.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Region VI said the suspension covered 81 schools in Iloilo province and 44 in Iloilo City, affecting a total of 74,243 learners — 28,262 from the province and 45,981 from the city.

Affected schools shifted to alternative delivery modes to allow structural inspections of classrooms and other facilities.

In Tubungan, the local government suspended classes at all levels and work in government offices on Wednesday. The Schools Division of Iloilo said the suspension affected 19 public schools with 2,226 learners.

In Oton, Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. suspended classes at all levels in both public and private schools to allow a Joint Inspection Team to conduct safety inspections of school buildings and other infrastructure. Twelve public schools with 4,462 learners were affected.

In Tigbauan, Mayor Virgilio Teruel ordered the suspension of morning classes in all schools at all levels, both public and private, with school administrators authorized to decide on the resumption of afternoon classes subject to facility assessments. Thirty-two public schools with 10,636 learners were affected.

Guimbal also suspended morning classes on the order of Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada, affecting 17 public schools with 4,462 learners.

Iloilo National High School, with 6,474 learners, shifted to alternative delivery modes on Tuesday to allow for the assessment of school structures.

In Iloilo City, Iloilo Science and Technology University’s main campus on Burgos Street in La Paz district and the University of San Agustin also shifted to alternative modes of learning.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu instructed DepEd, through disaster risk reduction and management focal persons in every school, to inspect school buildings and classrooms before allowing students and faculty to hold classes, adding that school administrators may order localized suspensions based on their assessments.

Treñas-Chu said the Office of the Building Official conducted initial rapid structural assessments of public markets, condominium buildings, and business process outsourcing offices, with only minor cracks observed.

“No significant structural damages were identified during the inspection,” she said, adding that “it is encouraged that any visible structural concerns be promptly reported to the OBO for proper evaluation.”

The city’s Emergency Operations Center reported no major injuries or structural damage in hospitals.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Region VI directed local government units and concerned agencies to immediately assess the structural integrity of public and private buildings and other critical infrastructure to ensure public safety.

The council said the assessment aims to determine the extent of damage, identify facilities posing safety risks, and recommend actions for repair, retrofitting, or condemnation as necessary.

Authorities were directed to submit initial assessment reports no later than March 9.