By HAZEL P. VILLA
ILOILO CITY–A magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Negros Occidental triggered tremors here, separated by sea some 74 kilometers away, early Wednesday afternoon.
Students of West Visayas State University rushed out of their classrooms to the football field following orders of the school administration not to return to the building. Students resumed classes an hour and a half after.
Both Iloilo and Negros Occidental belong to the Western Visayas region although they are located in separate islands. Iloilo, the capital of which is Iloilo City, is part of the Panay Island (with Aklan, Capiz and Antique) while Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental form the Negros island.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake, of tectonic origin, occurred at 1:21 p.m. Its epicenter was located 26 kilometers northwest of Cauayan.
Phivolcs said it was expecting aftershocks.
Tremors of varying intensities were felt in other parts of Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Capiz , Aklan and Antique. It was also felt in Dipolog City.
The reported intensities:
Intensity V – Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan, Binalbagan, Hinobaan and Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City
Intensity IV – Sigma, Capiz; Alimodian, Iloilo; Anini-y, Antique; Bacolod City, Bago City and Pontevedra, Negros Occidental; Bayawan, Sta Catalina, Tayasan and Pamplona, Negros Oriental; Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Dumaguete City
Intensity III – Dao and Roxas Capiz; Patnongon, San Jose, Culasi, Sibalom, Pandan, San Remigio, Berbasa, Sebaste, Dao, Tibiao, Valderama and Bugasong Antique; Masbate City; Lezo and Kalibo, Aklan
Intensity II – Canlaon City and Murcia, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City