Mag-5.8 quake hits Negros; Phivolcs warns of possible damage, aftershocks

A magnitude-5.8 quake jolted the Negros area Wednesday afternoon and was felt in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, with state seismologists warning of possible aftershocks and damage. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, was recorded at 1:21 p.m. In an updated bulletin as of 2:50 p.m., Phivolcs said the epicenter was at 26 km northwest of Cauayan in Negros Occidental in Western Visayas. However, it said the quake was also felt as far as Negros Oriental in Central Visayas, and in Dipolog City in Mindanao. Phivolcs said the quake was felt at: - Intensity V (Strong): Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan, Binalbagan, Hinobaan and Hinigaran, Negros Occidental; Iloilo City - Intensity IV (Moderately Strong): Sigma, Capiz; Alimodian, Iloilo; Anini-y, Antique; Bacolod City, Bago City and Pontevedra, Negros Occidental; Bayawan, Sta. Catalina, Tayasan and Pamplona, Negros Oriental; Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental - Intensity III (Weak): Dao and Roxas, Capiz; Patnongon, San Jose, Culasi, Sibalom, Pandan, San Remigio, Berbasa, Sebaste, Dao, Tibiao, Valderama and Bugasong, Antique; Masbate City; Lezo and Kalibo, Aklan - Intensity II (Slightly Felt): Canlaon City and Murcia, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City. A report from the United States Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was: - 78 km south of Iloilo - 92 km southwest of Bacolod - 120 km northwest of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental - 538 km south-southeast of Manila Before Wednesday's quake, Phivolcs recorded a magnitude-4.0 quake near Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental at 2:52 a.m. and a magnitude-3.0 quake in Sipalay in Negros Occidental at 12:26 p.m. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council instructed local disaster management officials to "undertake precautionary measures and monitor the situation" in their areas of responsibility. — BM, GMA News