City disaster officials in Sipalay, Negros Occidental, reported no injuries or casualties after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the area on Tuesday, October 7.
Edmund Ligan of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said that after conducting structural inspections, they found no damages to roads, bridges, electricity, communication networks, water supply, or other infrastructure.
The quake occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers and was tectonic in origin, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) earlier said.
Government teams launched a rapid needs assessment with other agencies to ensure remote and outlying areas also remain safe, Ligan said.
He reminded teachers, students, and school staff to stay calm during tremors, avoid crowding or running, and follow the “duck, cover, and hold” procedure.
Ligan also urged residents to observe the same practice, stay alert for potential aftershocks, and uphold family evacuation plans—especially in coastal areas, where people should proceed to higher ground if the quake feels strong.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.