Classes suspended as 5.7 magnitude earthquake hits 2 Leyte towns

ORMOC CITY –– Two municipalities that were struck by the magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Leyte province suspended classes at all levels on Monday, March 2.

This would allow authorities to inspect the schools, said Capoocan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office staff Jennilyn Tuano.

School buildings in Barangay Pinamopoan, Capoocan town, sustained minor cracks.

The local government unit of Carigara town, Leyte also declared the suspension of classes at all levels after the earthquake this morning.

In Ormoc City, the Saint Peter’s College also suspended classes at all levels.

The magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook parts of the Visayas at 5:19 a.m. on Monday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake was moderately strong, and was felt in Tacloban City and Pastrana in Leyte at intensity 5; Palo town and Ormoc City in Leyte; and Naval in Biliran and Borongan City in Eastern Samar at intensity 4.

The earthquake was felt at intensity 2 in Bogo City in northern Cebu, and intensity 1 in Masbate and Roxas Cities.

The tremor, which had a depth of 13 kilometers, was of tectonic in origin and was expected to produce aftershocks.

Edited by Lzb