Dumaguete: Several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental have suspended classes on Monday following a magnitude 5.8 aftershock that rocked Bogo City, Cebu, and was felt in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, the LGUs that declared class suspensions, through announcements on online platforms, include Sibulan, Tanjay City, Manjuyod, Pamplona, and Bindoy. Additionally, Negros Oriental High School, St. Paul University, and Dumaguete Agape Chinese Christian Academy in the provincial capital also cancelled classes, citing the need for inspections to assess the structural integrity of buildings and classrooms after the series of earthquakes impacting the area.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) - Dumaguete Division did not suspend classes, as confirmed by Assistant Division Superintendent Dr. Juditha Mapue. Residents and netizens reported experiencing moderate shaking around 1 a.m. when the strong aftershock hit northern Cebu.
On October 10, Governor Manuel Sagarbarria had announced a province-wide suspension of classes following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Davao Oriental, which was felt in Dumaguete at Intensity II. However, the governor's order was specific to that day, and no automatic suspension of classes was implemented on Monday for either public or private schools.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology explained that the earthquakes in Davao Oriental, measuring magnitude 7.4 and 6.8, may be considered a "doublet earthquake." They noted that "doublet earthquakes" are distinct events in nearly the same area with two or more main shocks of slightly different magnitudes, often triggered by stress from faults or trenches.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Adrian Sedillo expressed hope that academic institutions are prepared to transition quickly to modular or alternative learning methods in response to potentially damaging events like earthquakes and typhoons. Sedillo emphasized that such measures could prevent disruptions in students' learning during class suspensions.
