Negros Trench triggers 4.7-magnitude quake

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The 4.7-magnitude earthquake which jolted Antique and the rest of Western Visayas late Monday evening was due to the movement in Negros Trench, one of the active earthquake generators in the region.

“The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the earthquake was triggered by the movement in Negros Trench which is an active trench,” according to Cindy Ferrer, information officer of the Office of the Civil Defense Region 6 (OCD-6), in a phone interview on Tuesday.

According to Phivolcs, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 37 kilometers southwest of Barbaza, Antique, with a depth of 28 kilometers.

Intensity IV was felt in Barbaza, Antique while Intensity III was felt in the towns of Belison, San Jose de Buenavista, and Tobias Fornier in Antique; Nabas, Aklan and Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Bago City, Negros Occidental and the towns of Banga and Malay in Aklan experienced Intensity II. Intensity I was also felt in Lezo, Aklan.

Other instrumental intensities were recorded particularly Intensity III in Culasi, San Jose de Buenavista, and Sebaste, Antique and Malay and Malinao, Aklan; Intensity II in Bago City, Negros Occidental; and Intensity I in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental and Iloilo City.

Magnitude refers to the size of the earthquake at its source while the intensity measures the amount of shaking at a particular location (usgs.gov).

So far, Ferrer said the temblor did not cause damage to infrastructure in the region nor did it raise a tsunami alert.

“So far wala man kita damages. Wala man kita nagraise tsunami alert because 4.7 magnitude lang ini nga earthquake,” she said.

Three aftershocks were recorded in the towns of Barbaza and Patnongon on Tuesday, according to Ferrer.

The OCD-6 together with the local government and other concerned agencies, are closely monitoring the aftershocks in Antique, she added.

“We instructed the local government units (LGUs) especially in Barbaza, Antique nga i-alert nila ila responders. We are also closely coordinating with them,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ferrer reminded the residents to practice the duck, cover, and hold campaign in their homes despite the quarantine measures imposed due to the coronavirus disease.

“Kay dira lang sila sa ila balay, always monitor gid sang mga advisory naton. Stay vigilant and don’t forget ang campaign naton on duck, cover, and hold,” she said.