No major damage reported as quake hits north Cebu anew

Local

NEARLY seven months after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, another strong tremor struck northern Cebu on Monday afternoon, April 6.

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake shook parts of the Visayas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

In its earthquake advisory, Phivolcs said the tremor occurred at 3:22 p.m., with its epicenter located about 17 kilometers southeast of Bogo City at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

The quake was tectonic in origin.

Instrumental intensity reached Intensity IV in San Francisco, Cebu, as well as in Hilongos and Villaba in Leyte, indicating “moderately strong” shaking.

In Cebu, Intensity III, or “weak” shaking, was recorded in Liloan, Talisay City, Cebu City, and Lapu-Lapu City. The same intensity was also felt in several areas in Leyte, Masbate, and Southern Leyte.

Weaker tremors were logged in other parts of Cebu, including Carcar, San Fernando, Argao, and Asturias (Intensity II), while barely perceptible shaking was reported in more distant areas such as Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Eastern Samar.

As of posting, authorities have not reported any damage or casualties linked to the quake.

Phivolcs, however, warned that aftershocks are possible and advised the public to remain alert.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said initial assessments showed no major damage in the city following the tremor.

“At around 3:22 PM today, an earthquake with magnitude 5.4 was recorded near the northern part of Cebu. It was felt in several areas, including Cebu City, but initial reports confirm that the impact remains manageable and no major damage has been reported as of this time,” Archival said in a social media post.

The mayor added that he is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) and other agencies, while Acting Mayor Tomas Osmeña is overseeing response efforts on the ground.

“Our teams are already deployed and conducting monitoring and assessment to ensure everyone’s safety,” he said.

Archival urged the public to remain calm, avoid panic, and stay in safe areas amid possible aftershocks.

The mayor is currently out of the country for personal reasons. He was away from April 4 to April 6 and is expected to return on April 7.

The tremor on Monday struck near the same general area affected by a series of earthquakes in northern Cebu in 2025, including the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30 that caused widespread damage and casualties.

That major quake, traced to the Bogo Bay Fault, triggered ground rupture, liquefaction, and landslides across several northern Cebu towns.

Phivolcs continues to monitor seismic activity in the region and reiterated standard safety precautions, including moving to open spaces during strong shaking and inspecting structures for possible damage after earthquakes.(TGP)