TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Residents across Eastern Visayas were jolted out of their homes early this week after a powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the region, leaving a trail of minor damage to infrastructure and sending a wave of panic through several provinces.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) located the epicenter in the vicinity of Leyte, with the tremor being felt as far as Cebu and parts of Mindanao.
Initial reports from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and local disaster risk reduction units indicate that while no fatalities have been confirmed, the structural impact is visible. In several towns across Leyte and Southern Leyte, cracks have been reported in:
- Government Buildings: Minor wall collapses and ceiling damage in municipal halls.
- Road Networks: Hairline fractures on some national highways and bridges, though most remain passable.
- Residential Areas: Residents in older brick and mortar homes reported fallen items and cracked tiles.
Local authorities are currently conducting a “rapid damage assessment” to ensure that schools and hospitals remain safe for public use.
In Tacloban City and Ormoc, the shaking was described as “strong and dizzying,” lasting for several seconds. “It felt like the ground was rolling,” said one resident. “People immediately ran out of the malls and offices. We are still on edge because of the aftershocks.”
PHIVOLCS has recorded dozens of smaller tremors following the main quake and warns the public to remain vigilant as aftershocks are expected to continue for several days.
Some areas experienced brief power outages immediately following the quake as a precautionary measure by local cooperatives to check for damaged lines. Communication lines remained largely intact, allowing families to check on loved ones quickly.
Governor’s offices across the region have advised citizens to check their homes for structural integrity before re-entering and to keep “Go Bags” ready. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also prepositioned relief goods in case any families are displaced by damaged housing.