CASE STUDY

TITLE OF THE STUDY:

Reflection of the 2012 Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake and Tsunami Tragedy in Negros Oriental and
Cebu

OBJECTIVES:

1. To look back and learned the lesson brought us from the tragedy happened on last 2012
Earthquake and Tsunami in Negros Oriental & Cebu.
2. To be aware and prepared to increase of chances against natural hazards and disasters
through Information, Education and Communication.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is there a fault in Negros Oriental?

Ans. Active fault traces East Negros Fault System along the Eastern section of Negros
Island, from Toboso in the North to Siaton in the South.
2. What is the other strongest earthquake recorded in the Philippines except the 2012
earthquake happened in the Negros Oriental and Cebu?
Ans. In 2019, a record of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Davao Del Sur
Province of the Philippines. Within the same year, several earthquakes occurred in
Cotabato City with the highest magnitude level of 6.6 in the Philippines.
3. What is the safest place during an earthquake?
Ans. If you are able, seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Stay away from outer
walls, windows, fireplaces, and hanging objects. If you are unable to move from a bed or
chair, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.
4. What are things you should not do during an earthquake?
Ans. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the
kitchen, which is a dangerous place. Don’t run downstairs or rush outside.
5. Will all the house collapse in an earthquake?
Ans. If your house is a wood frame it probably would not collapse but if your house is
made of bricks or concrete block, unreinforced by steel rebar, then the entire house might
collapse.

PROBLEMS:

1. The impacts of earthquakes include structural damage to building, bridges and highways.
2. Part of the house was damaged after a tsunami hit Sitio Looc, Barangay Martilo, La Libertad.
3. House buried under a landslide in Barangay Solongon, La Libertad
4. Residents had difficulty in passing through the broken & dislocated asphalt road near the Tuway
bridge.
5. Evacuees charge their phones & flashlights using the generators set-up at the evacuation
centers.
6. Lots of people dead, injured and missings.
METHODOLOGY:
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology –Department of Science & Technology
(FHIVOLCS-DOST) commemorates the 2012 Negros Oriental Earthquake on its 5th year.

Amagnitude 6.9 earthquake shook the Islands of Negros Cebu and nearby Islands of Western
Visayas Region at 11:49 a.m. on February 6, 2012. The earthquake was generated by a thrust
fault movement with the epicenter located in Tayasan, Negros Oriental. Intensity VIII (very
destructive) was felt in Tayasan, Vallehermoso, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Guihulngan, Negros
Oriental.

Tsunami waves as high as five (5) meters struck in Barangay Martilo, Pisong and Magtalisay in
La Libertad, Negros Oriental. Coastal areas of Negros Oriental from San Jose to Vallehermoso
and Cebu from Badian to Barili were also affected by the tsunami.

DATA PRESENTATION & FINDINGS:

The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure was Php. 383,059,000.00. A total of 51 dead and
112 injured while 62 were missing from the landslide in Solongon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental
& Planas, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental (NDRRMC sit Rep No. 22, 20 Feb 2012)
Evidence of liquefaction was reported in Ayungon, La Libertad, Guihulngan, Jimalalud and Tayasan. The
must extreme lateral spread combined with ground undulation & subsidence occurred along the
approach of Tuway Bridge affecting approximately 100 meter stretch of the road. Many bridges & some
structures suffered from loss of bearing capacity. The Pangalo-an Bridge & Martilo Bridge collapsed &
were rendered temporarily impassable for days.
CONCLUSION:

Therefore I conclude that the tragedy happened on 5 th year of the 2012 magnitude 6.9 Negros Oriental
Earthquake, will encourage to everyone to look back and remember not only the tragedy, but also the
lessons we learned. Awareness and Preparedness will increase our chances against natural hazards and
disasters, Through the continuous development and application of technologies for monitoring, and
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign of PHIVOLCS, let us keep our communities
safe and resilient to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other related hazards.

RECOMMENDATION:

Negros and Cebu Islands are located in a seismically active area in the Philippines. Earthquake
generators such as Negros and Sulu Trench, segments of the Philippines Fault in Masbate and Leyte
Islands may generate earthquakes that could affect the area. Evaluation of structure safety of buildings,
public facilities, and houses are recommended as well as continuous intensive community-wide
earthquake and tsunami information and education campaigns and drills.