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By APD Writer Melo M. Acuna
**MANILA, July 7 (APD) ** – A 6.5 magnitude earthquake shocked Ormoc City, Leyte province in Central Philippines at 4:03 P.M., Thursday which resulted to the death of two residents, injuries to at least 72 persons as government officials rescued six individuals from a collapsed building.
Science and Technology Undersecretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. said yesterday’s earthquake was a “strong earthquake.” He said it was of tectonic origin.
However, there were stronger earthquakes that shook different parts of the Philippines.
Dr. Solidum said these were the 6.7 Magnitude quake last February this year in Surigao del Norte, April 2017, 7.2 Magnitude quake in Saranggani Province, the October 2013 quake which had a 7.2 magnitude in Bohol and the 6.7 Magnitude quake last February 2012 in Negros Oriental.
According the the Philippine Institute of Volcanology anjd Seismology, there were at least 297 aftershocks, 47 of which were plotted and 10 felt by worried residents as of 1:00 P.M. Friday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a three-storey building collapsed at barangay Poblacion in Kananga town.
Two classrooms in a public school in Jaro, Leyte sustained cracked walls while a landslide was reproted in Mt. Amandiwing in Rubia village in Jaro town.
Classes in all levels have been suspended beginning today until further notice. Although passable, five bridges in Leyte province had cracks on its approaches.
The damaged facade of a hotel is seen after an earthquake hit Surigao city
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi advised industry players to ensure the safe delivery of energy services to consumers in earthquake-affected areas.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, Secretary Cusi said the line between Ormoc City and Maasin town in Southern Leyte tripped affecting Bohol Island involving some 64.2 MegaWatts.
Market intervention was declared by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as system operator started at 5:00 P.M. yesterday due to the isolation of Leyte and Samar areas and the tripping of Leyte-A power plant.
Power interruptions occurred in the Panay and Negros Islands due to “under frequency relay” cased by the breakdown of Leyte-A power plant.
According to an initial report from power generator GreenCore, one of their geothermal plants in Palimpinon (Negros Oriental) which generates 37 MWs tripped.
All geothermal power plants in Leyte tripped at 4:04 P.M. after the 6.5 magnitude quake as the epicenter was reported near the geothermal site.
Damage was reported at the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant switch year while power generators including Green Core and Energy Development Corporation are still doing their respective assessments.
The epicenter was in Kananga town where the geothermal plants are located.
The towns and cities in Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and Panay islands were affected by the strong earthquake but only Leyte and Bohol suffered from total power failure.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is still assessing the damage to their facilities.
At the Energy Development Corporation, it’s Vice President Lito Santos reported all employees were accounted for with some suffering minor injuries.
EDC owns and operates the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plants.
Their facilities which generate over 500 megtawatts tripped.
The 138 KiloVolt tie-line has remained intact.
As of 9:00 P.M. Thursday, Samar, Bohol, Southern Leyte and some parts of Northern Leyte were still without power.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
