• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Following the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that rocked Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, on Monday morning, the City Disaster Reduction and Management Operations Center reported that at least five buildings of the Gil Montilla National High School have been tagged as unsafe.
This follows the Rapid Damage Assessment and Need Analysis conducted by the authorities, which identified several tension cracks that negatively affected the integrity of the structures.
Based on their observations, cracks were seen on concrete slabs, and construction imperfections also contributed to the damage.
Some columns at the Agripino Alvarez Elementary School displayed noticeable tension cracks. However, authorities said that the damage that was seen is still up for assessment and verification.
Meanwhile, authorities reported that hairline cracks and damaged floor tiles were found at Barangay Mambarato’s People’s Hall and Health Center, after the tremor.
DRRM Coordinator Dionilo Bogtae said that all reported cracks were minor.
“Our rapid assessment inspection to ensure the integrity of our structures is ongoing. We actually requested the DPWH to help us assess the integrity of our buildings, particularly our school facilities,” he said.
Authorities reported no casualties after the 5.1 magnitude tremor, and that all roads and bridges in the city are still passable.
They added that the intensity of the quake reached level III, with some reporting experiencing nausea and dizziness.*
