Quake sends Cebu to a halt

Local

CEBU hit the brakes on Friday, October 10.

Several local government units (LGUs) suspended classes and government work following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off Davao Oriental and was felt across parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

The offshore quake struck at 9:43 a.m. with its epicenter located 62 kilometers east of Manay, Davao Oriental, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Initially recorded at magnitude 7.6, it was later downgraded to 7.5 and then to 7.4 after recalibration.

Although no major damage was reported in Cebu, officials moved swiftly to suspend in-person classes and restrict government operations as a safety precaution amid expected aftershocks.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival ordered a work suspension at City Hall and its satellite offices after receiving advisories from Phivolcs about potential aftershocks.

“The decision was made after consultations with the Cebu City Council and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) to ensure the safety of all employees,” Archival said.

He directed disaster personnel to remain in their posts for rapid emergency response if needed.

Archival also reiterated that face-to-face classes from daycare to high school would remain suspended due to last week’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu. Online and asynchronous learning continue in the meantime.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonkie Ouano suspended all face-to-face classes in both public and private schools and reduced government operations to a skeletal workforce.

In nearby Talisay City, Mayor Samsam Gullas also announced a class suspension in all levels and coordinated with Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Arden Monisit to formalize the directive.

Outside Metro Cebu, several LGUs across the province also ordered class suspensions as a precautionary measure.

Among those that suspended classes in all levels were:

1st District – Sibonga, Minglanilla, Carcar City, Talisay City, Naga City, San Fernando

2nd District – Argao, Santander, Dalaguete, Samboan, Boljoon

3rd District – Barili, Tuburan (until further notice), Aloguinsan

4th District – Bogo City, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Medellin (all until further notice)

5th District – Poro, Compostela, Carmen, Sogod, Catmon, Borbon, Liloan, Danao City (half-day work for government offices)

6th District – Consolacion, Cordova

7th District – Alegria, Alcantara, Dumanjug, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Ronda, Ginatilan

Authorities have urged residents to stay alert for possible aftershocks while keeping calm and observant of official advisories.

Phivolcs said the magnitude 7.4 quake was tectonic in origin, with shaking felt in several parts of Visayas and Mindanao, including Cebu City, where workers and students briefly evacuated buildings.

The agency earlier issued a tsunami warning (Red-Orange) for coastal areas in Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands, advising residents to immediately move to higher ground.

By midday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii lifted its alert after no destructive sea-level changes were observed, although local monitoring continued.

At 2 p.m., Phivolcs issued a cancellation of tsunami warnings.(TGP)