Magnitude 5.8 aftershock rocks Cebu, other provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Two weeks since a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Cebu, a strong aftershock registering at magnitude 5.8 rocked the province at past midnight yesterday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the latest temblor, which struck at 1:06 a.m., was an aftershock of the main quake on Sept. 30. It was located 10 kilometers west of Bogo City in Cebu’s northern part and had a depth of five kilometers.

Intensity 5 was felt in Bogo City and the towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon and Tabuelan in Cebu, Villaba town in Leyte and Escalante City in Negros Occidental.

Intensity 4 was registered in Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities (including nearby towns), Iloilo City, Ormoc City and parts of Capiz and Leyte provinces.

The temblor was also felt in several areas in Bohol, Negros Occidental and Oriental, Leyte and Southern Leyte, Albay, the Samar provinces, Guimaras, Biliran, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Misamis Oriental.

As of 9 a.m. yesterday, Phivolcs had recorded 11,835 aftershocks following the Sept. 30 quake, although only 46 of these were felt by people.

Meanwhile, the magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 6.8 temblors that hit Davao Oriental on Oct. 10 – also called a doublet earthquake – generated 1,192 aftershocks, with at least 14 felt by people.

DepEd needs P4 billion for school repairs

The Department of Education needs at least P4 billion to repair and reconstruct the 7,575 classrooms damaged by the doublet quake, the DepEd said yesterday.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the DepEd would work closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways for structural integrity assessments and with the Department of Budget and Management for the Quick Response Fund.

“If we can build a bigger school compared to the ones that were damaged, in anticipation, it would be like build back better,” said Angara, who was with President Marcos during a visit to quake-stricken Davao Oriental yesterday.

In a statement, the DepEd said 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected by the quake, with at least 57 reported injured.

Out of the 168,945 affected learners, 187 students were injured, the agency added.

The DepEd has mobilized alternative learning modes, including modular distance learning and Edukahon so students can continue with their education. DepEd also intends to replace the damaged learning materials and ICT equipment.

In coordination with local governments and partner agencies, DepEd is also setting up temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms. — Evelyn Macairan