PHIVOLCS on class suspensions: Up to LGUs, but earthquakes are unpredictable

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Tuesday that while class suspensions are up to the discretion of the local government units, the agency stressed that no one could tell when earthquakes would happen. 

“Well, 'yung pag-suspend naman ng klase ng mga LGU, nasa purview nila 'yan. That is their responsibility. Nasa authority din nila ‘yan. Pero kami naman sa PHIVOLCS, ang ine-emphasize namin na walang technology that can tell us when an earthquake would happen,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview with GMA News Online. 

(Well, the suspension of classes by the LGUs, that is within their purview. That is their responsibility. That is also within their authority. But we at PHIVOLCS, what we emphasize is that there is no technology that can tell us when an earthquake would happen.) 

“Science na ang nagsasabi na walang technology na makapagsabi sa atin kung kailan magkakaroon ng lindol,” he added. 

(Science is already saying that there is no technology that can tell us when an earthquake will occur.) 

Several localities have suspended classes following the recent earthquake events and threats of aftershocks. For instance, face-to-face classes in Davao Oriental and in some towns in Davao de Oro remained suspended until further notice as the integrity of school buildings were compromised by the doublet magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Manay last October 10. 

On the other hand, the provincial government of Laguna also suspended face-to-face classes from October 14 to 31 as a precaution against potential seismic activity along the West Valley Fault. This was despite PHIVOLCS’ earlier statement clarifying that the recent strong earthquakes in different parts of the county do not trigger the West Valley Fault to move.

Further, PHIVOLCS said that buildings with visible cracks following earthquakes should be vacated and assessed for safety as aftershocks could lead to their total collapse. 

“Kapag may mga visible cracks kasi and visible damage or signs that it has been weakened, those buildings were weakened as a result of the earthquake, kailangan muna nila mag-consult ng sa kanilang municipal or city engineers bago siguro sila bumalik sa kanilang schools,” said Bacolcol. “Yun naman 'yung sinasabi natin, 'yung structurally compromised buildings, buildings shouldn't be reoccupied unless certified safe by the municipal or city engineers.” 

(If there are visible cracks and visible damage or signs that it has been weakened, those buildings were weakened as a result of the earthquake. They need to consult the municipal or city engineers before they return to their schools. That's what we're saying, structurally compromised buildings shouldn't be reoccupied unless certified safe by the municipal or city engineers.) 

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said that while it respects the decision of the local governments, it called on LGUs to exercise “with balance and prudence” when deciding to suspend classes. 

DepEd also said it will coordinate with Schools Division Offices to deploy alternative learning delivery modes for affected students to ensure that education continues despite disruptions. —KG, GMA Integrated News