Earthquake causes damage on classroom in Catanduanes town

MORNING JOLT. A 6.1-magnitude earthquake rocks Bagamanoc town in Catanduanes province on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.  The Department of Education in Bicol reported the damage incurred by a school in the town due to the quake. (Graphics courtesy of Phivolcs)

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol reported the damage incurred by a school in Catanduanes after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Bagamanoc town on Wednesday.

DepEd Bicol Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) focal person, architect Deo Moreno, said in an interview that a classroom at Sta. Rosa Elementary School in Viga West had infrastructure damage, including wall cracks.

“As of now, the room will not be used because there are cracks. For the sake of the safety of the students and DepEd personnel, they will not be allowed to enter. The assessment is still ongoing, we are still waiting for the reports from the grounds. As to the cost of damage, we cannot say yet because the assessment is still ongoing,” he said.

Moreno said DepEd Bicol has a standby fund of P140 million that could be used for the initial needs of the school.

“At least within this week, we will wait for all the reports that school heads will submit. Our interventions will follow the guidelines from the DRRM. Schools affected by the earthquake from Catanduanes Division will be all reported,” Moreno said.

DepEd Bicol prepared a temporary learning shelter for the affected students.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located off the coast of Bagamanoc and was tectonic in origin, with a depth of 38 kilometers. (PNA)