NDRRMC: Cracks found in 6 buildings in Biliran after magnitude-4.9 quake

Cracks were found in at least six public buildings in Naval town in Biliran province after a magnitude-4.9 quake struck the area last Wednesday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.

 

But the NDRRMC said the buildings were "structurally still safe," although inspection teams recommended repair and maintenance of the affected buildings.

 

It said the public buildings inspected included:

 

1. Naval two-story commercial complex building at San Juan St., Brgy. Smo. Rosario, Naval; recommended removing and replacing the partition wall

 

2. Naval two-story commercial building at P. Inocentas Street, Brgy. Smo. Rosario, Naval; minor cracks on walls, minor repair and maintenance recommended

 

3. Naval Public Dry and Wet Market building, Smo. Rosario St., Brgy. Smo. Rosario, Naval; minor cracks on some columns, minor repair and maintenance recommended

 

4. Naval Gymnasium, P. Inocentas St., Brgy. Smo. Rosario, minro cracks on walls on parts of the stage; minor repair and maintenance recommended

 

5. Naval Municipal Building, minor cracks on walls at ground and second floors; minor repair and maintenance recommended

 

6. Naval State University Science Building, lateral and longitudinal cracks on partition walls; removal and replacement of partition wall recommended.

 

Also, the NDRRMC said the Biliran provincial hospital evacuated the patients at its intensive care unit (ICU) to an adjacent building.

 

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was recorded at 7:09 p.m. Wednesday, with the epicenter at 3 km southwest of Naval in Biliran. It said the quake was felt at:

 

- Intensity V: Naval, Biliran; Calubian, Leyte

- Intensity IV: Kawayan, Almeria and Culaba, Biliran; Leyte, Leyte

- Intensity II: Palompon, Leyte, Tacloban City

- Intensity I: Cebu City — ELR, GMA News