Iloilo city: Office work at the Iloilo provincial capitol has been suspended, while face-to-face classes in all municipalities in the first district of the province were suspended following a magnitude 4.2 earthquake on Wednesday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Earthquake Information No. 2 downgraded the magnitude to 4.2, initially measured at 4.4, with the epicenter located in Guimbal, Iloilo.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., in his announcement, said they would do away with the protocol when work resumed one hour after the inspection of the building. He mentioned that the province will adjust to the situation, especially with the “recurrent” tremors, and since the epicenter is within the province, they have to change their response. A 24-hour critical period will be observed due to the possibility of aftershocks.
“Let us come back tomorrow. In the meantime, our department heads with critical functions, you can coordinate with the PDRRMO (provincial disaster risk reduction and management office) on how to execute,” Governor Defensor advised. The PDRRMO operations center remains functional, closely monitoring municipalities, particularly Guimbal, where the epicenter is located. All assets, including heavy equipment, are on standby to respond if needed.
The governor also urged schools, municipalities, hospitals, and private buildings with high-rise structures to assess their structural integrity. “You check your building, the structural integrity, before you go back,” he emphasized. PDRRMO Administrative and Training Division head Alfonso Baldonado III reported that the provincial government has coordinated with the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which conducted a hammer rebound test. Despite the presence of cracks, the capitol building was found to be structurally safe as the cracks are considered superficial.
The DPWH will also deploy a scanner for a deeper inspection of structural components like pillars and beams. The intensity reading meter installed at the provincial capitol recorded the quake intensity at 3. Meanwhile, Department of Education Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr. ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes from Kindergarten to Senior High School in all schools within the first congressional district, effective immediately. He stated that the suspension aims to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners and school personnel. The first district towns affected include Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan.