Southern Leyte faces aftermath as quake leaves over 200 homes damaged

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Authorities in Maasin City and several towns in Southern Leyte suspend classes a day after the earthquake

TACLOBAN, Philippines – The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that rattled Southern Leyte on Thursday morning, January 23, was brief but powerful enough to leave hundreds of damaged structures in its wake.

A day following the quake, local authorities reported that more than 200 houses had been damaged. At least seven homes were destroyed in Southern Leyte, the province that bore the brunt of the impact. 

At least five people were injured as a result, said Lord Byron Torrecarion, director of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) for Eastern Visayas on Friday, January 24.

He said the tally of damaged homes had reached 235 in Southern Leyte alone.

The earthquake’s aftermath prompted a quick response from local governments. Authorities in Maasin City and several towns – San Francisco, San Juan, Pintuyan, Liloan, Tomas Oppus, San Ricardo, Padre Burgos, Botoc, Macrohon, and Libagon – moved to suspend classes on Friday. 

Torrecarion said the decision was a preemptive measure to ensure the safety of students and teachers, allowing time for structural assessments of school buildings to determine their integrity before classes could resume.

The earthquake, which hit at 7:39 am with its epicenter in San Francisco town, originated tectonically at a depth of 14 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

A team from Phivolcs and the OCD traveled to Southern Leyte on Friday morning to start assessing the situation and document the earthquake’s impact. 

Jeffrey Perez, a supervising science research specialist from Phivolcs, said the tremor was considered moderate and called on the public not to panic.

“This is a moderate earthquake, and we do not expect major damage. Most of the affected structures are older, fully constructed buildings,” Perez said during a press conference. “Our primary objective is to ensure that people remain prepared and informed. We are conducting an information campaign to address concerns and reduce fear among residents.”

The earthquake raised concerns about likely strong aftershocks, which Phivolcs continues to monitor closely.

“We encourage everyone to stay vigilant and be prepared,” Perez added. “Even in places like Tacloban, we must remain alert.”

As of 8 am Friday, Phivolcs recorded 117 aftershocks in the area, with 60 aftershocks plotted, ranging in magnitude from 1.5 to 2.5.

Southern Leyte Representative Christopherson Yap said local officials were evaluating whether a declaration of a state of calamity is necessary, although relief operations are already underway to assist those affected. – Rappler.com