Photo credit: Phivolcs

Southern Leyte woke up to quite the shake this Thursday morning, January 23, as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit the province at 7:39 AM. With a depth of just 10 kilometers, the tremor’s epicenter was located 7 kilometers southeast of San Francisco, Southern Leyte.

Here’s what we know so far:

Where It Was Felt

• Padre Burgos (Intensity V): Residents felt the strongest jolts here.
• Hinunangan and Maasin (Intensity IV): Moderate shaking reported.
• Palo, Dulag, Ormoc City, and Carigara (Intensity III): Light tremors were noticeable in these areas.

Initial Damage and Ongoing Assessments

Local authorities and response teams wasted no time checking on affected areas. Here’s a snapshot:

• San Francisco, Southern Leyte:
- Visible cracks were found in the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Building and the local gym.
- Parts of the national highway showed elevated asphalt, with teams on-site for inspection.
- Barangay-level reports are still being validated.

• Padre Burgos:
- Minor damage was noted in Barangay Cantutang, including cracks at the elementary school and a house under construction.

• Pintuyan:
- Public buildings and some homes have minor cracks.
- A landslide was reported, but thankfully, it’s far from residential areas.

• Limasawa:
- Assessment teams are actively surveying the island for any potential damage.

Good News: Roads and Bridges Are Passable

Despite minor cracks on some roads and bridges, all major routes remain open for travel.

What’s Next?

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) are on high alert, with emergency meetings scheduled. The police and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) teams continue to inspect infrastructure, ensuring public safety.

Stay Alert, Leyteños

Aftershocks are possible, so residents are reminded to stay vigilant. If you spot damage in your area, report it immediately to your local authorities.