Almost 200 minor quakes recorded in city since Aug.

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government recorded almost 200 minor earthquakes within the city from August 27 until September 4.

 The 191 minor earthquakes were detected by the portable seismometer installed in different areas in the city.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), said this is the first time since February that they have recorded such high number of minor earthquakes.

“(In the past few months since the devices were installed in February) wala man gyuy inana. Dili as frequent as now. In a month naay usa, naay month nga wala gani. Dili ni para ma alarma ang publiko nagpahibaw lang ta. Nangayo ta sa explanation sa taga Phivolcs,” he said.

With this, Tumulak has requested Phivolcs- Manila for assistance.

 “(We) humbly request assistance from your good office by conducting further investigation on the said recorded minor quakes on the dates indicated and explain the data gathered for us to understand and be relieved from this apprehension that something bad is happening,” Tumulak stated in his letter addressed to Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum, Jr.

 Tumulak emphasized that they need an explanation to educate the public on the minor shakings.

  But Robinson Giorgio, seismic observer of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)-7, assured that the minor earthquakes are not alarming as they were only caused by the “noise” around the place.

 “Mga noise lang yun. Noise, ibig sabihin mga human activities like excavation, drilling, mga (objects) na nahuhulog. Sa mga yun I think one or two lang ang totoong earthquake,” Giorgio said.

 Last Wednesday, councilwoman Susan Osolla of Barangay Sirao reported a crack in Sitio Tawagan.

 Based on the report of CCDRRMC, there are scattered cracks in the area which are interconnected.

 Tumulak said there is a possibility that minor shakes have caused the cracks in the barangay.

 As of yesterday,the city government is still waiting for the report from Solidum.

 Giorgio also said that they are constantly monitoring any shaking of land in the city.  (FREEMAN)