Several structures in the town of Tigbauan in Iloilo Province sustained damage after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit the southern part of the province evening on March 2, 2026.
The epicenter of the quake was traced to the town of Guimbal but no significant damage was recorded in the town, according to its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
“Wala namang malalaking damages unlike noong mga nakaraang earthquake na tumama dito sa Guimbal,” said Andres General, Jr., assistant head of the Guimbal MDRRMO.
The cracks on the structures in Tigbauan were found during inspection the day after the quake on March 3.
At least 125 schools in Iloilo suspended classes a day after the earthquake to make way for inspection.
Cracks were seen in several classrooms in Jamog Integrated School, at houses, at the barangay hall, and even at the day care center.
“So far, so good na wala tayong reported na nasugatan ngunit meron tayong reported cracks sa mga bahay, sa paaralan, barangay halls, day care center which is ngayon ongoing pa ang assessment,” said Jan Lester Tiquio, head of the LDRRMO in Tigbauan.
Joe Marie Diasnes, head of Jamog Integrated School, said they had to keep a close watch to keep students from harm’s way. He said they do not have spare classrooms to use.
“Nagbabantay lang kami dito kasi wala tayong ibang classroom na pwedeng gamitin. Kaya ang mga bata dyan sa kabilang side kasi delikado, baka mag-collapse,” Diasnes said.
OTHER AREAS
The earthquake was also felt in Iloilo City, the capital of the province, as well as in other parts of Western Visayas.
Residents of a housing project in San Isidro Jaro stormed out of their homes while people at the terminal and market left the buildings when the quake hit.
No damage was recorded in the city during rapid structural assessment.
The local government also assured that the hairline cracks found on the facade of the Iloilo Terminal Market were not caused by the March 2 quake.
“Before lumindol, meron na yan dyan. Bahagi ng kanilang punchlist na may nakita silang cracks,” said Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal, spokesperson of the city mayor.
The provincial capitol was also found to be safe structurally.
