Mayor Greg Gasataya has suspended in-person classes at all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in government offices in Bacolod City today, October 1, following a massive earthquake that rocked the Visayas Tuesday night.
Several other town and city mayors in Negros Occidental issued similar orders to allow for structural safety assessments of school and government buildings.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, and was felt across Bacolod City and Negros Occidental at varying intensities.
Gasataya said the suspension of classes and government work was based on the recommendation of the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The earthquake was felt at Intensity 5 in the city.
Schools are encouraged to shift to synchronous and alternative modes of online learning, he added.
Work in government offices is suspended, except for offices providing basic, vital, and health services, as well as those performing preparedness and response functions.
Private establishments and offices are strongly encouraged to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis to safeguard their employees, he said.
The earthquake also triggered blackouts in some parts of Bacolod City Tuesday night. Negros Electric and Power Corp. reported that the Bacolod-Reclamation 69KV Transmission Line tripped, resulting in power interruptions.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the earthquake was felt at intensities ranging from I to VI across various parts of Negros Occidental:
Intensity VI: Murcia and Manapla
Intensity V: Bacolod City, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, San Carlos, Toboso, and Talisay City
Intensity IV: Bago City, Cadiz City, Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, and parts of Binalbagan
Intensity III: Parts of Binalbagan
Intensity I: Hinoba-an and Sipalay City
Towns and cities that suspended both classes and government work include Binalbagan and Isabela.
Others that suspended classes only were Bago City, Escalante City, Sagay City, Toboso, EB Magalona, Kabankalan City, Victorias City, and Isabela./mcm