Bunao, Nilo Mateo S. Prof.

Enrico Tabafunda

Arch 176 WLN August 30, 2017

Bohol 2013 Earthquake

In October 13, 2013, a devastating magnitude 7.2 earthquake, which is described to be

equivalent to 32 Hiroshima bombs, hit the Bohol Island causing a lot of Filipino lives and
properties. Based on preliminary reports on the earthquake intensity, ground shaking was
highest at Intensity VII (Philippine Earthquake Intensity Scale or PEIS), felt at Tagbilaran,
Bohol. In other places, ground shaking effects registered intensity VI in Hinigaran, Negros
Occidental, Intensity V in Iloilo City and La Carlota, Intensity IV in Masbate City, Roxas
City, San Jose, Culasi, Antique, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental and Intensity III in Davao City
(Phivolcs, 2013)

Figure 1. Epicenters in Bohol and their corresponding depths according to Phivolcs (left) and the
intensities in Bohol and in adjacent cities and municipalities (right)

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the

earthquakes focus was at 12 kilometers depth with its epicenter located at 9.86o latitude and
124.07o longitude, 6 kilometers southwest of Sagbayan, Bohol (2013). The source of the
magnitude 7.2 earthquake is believed to be the East Bohol Fault as it is the only mapped
active fault in the whole Bohol Island. However, based on the locus of earthquake epicenters
and initial field reports, there appeared to be an unmapped fault 20 to 25 kilometers north of
the East Bohol fault that caused the earthquake and the aftershocks that came after. A reverse
fault was exposed in Barangay Anonang, Inabanga which formed a 3-meter high wall
extending for several kilometers. (See Figure 2) In the worldwide database of earthquakes, a
3 meter displacement of a fault approximately corresponds to a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
Based on this, that fault was most probably the cause of the shocking magnitude 7.2
earthquake. That fault was then named Inabanga fault as it was located in the municipality of
Inabanga. According to an article made in the National Institute of Geological Sciences, that
fault, in most probability, will be quiet and will not pose imminent danger from earthquake
hazards except for landslides and further destabilization of already weakened infrastructure
triggered by aftershocks, strong winds and heavy rainfall. (Lagmay et al, 2013)

Figure 2. Epicenters in Bohol and their corresponding depths according to Phivolcs (left) and the
intensities in Bohol and in adjacent cities and municipalities (right)

A total of 3.2 million families were affected by the earthquake. The death toll rose up
to 222 people. There were 976 injured and 8 people considered missing. The earthquake
caused a lot of damage to public buildings, roads, bridges, and flood controls that summed up
to Php2.25 billion. Old buildings, such as churches built since the Spanish Colonial Era, were
most affected by the incident.

According to Trixie Angeles, vice chairman of the National Committee on

Monuments and Sites, six national cultural treasures and two important cultural properties
were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. She identified the national cultural treasures
affected as the following: San Pedro Church in Loboc, Immaculada Concepcion de la Virgen
Maria in Baclayon, Nuestra Senora de la Luz in Loon, Loay Church in Bohol, Church of Our
Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, and Parroquia de la Santa Cruz in Maribojoc.

Figure 3. San Pedro Church before (left) and after (right) the earthquake.

The San Pedro Church was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits. It is Bohols second
oldest church. After the earthquake, the walls and ceiling parts were brought down, and the
faade is destroyed completely.

Figure 4. The Immaculada Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Church, also known as Baclayon
church

The Immaculada Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Church, also known as Baclayon

church, was also built by the Jesuits. It is considered ass one of the oldest churches in the
Philippines. It was made of coral stones cemented together by egg whites. It used to house
historic and religious artifacts that are centuries old.
 Figure 5. Nuestra Senora de la Luz Church in Loon

The Nuestra Senora de la Luz Church is also made of coral-stones. It is the biggest
church in Bohol. It was built by Augustinian Recollects. The design was of Ionic and
Corinthian style. It was also known for its symmetrical faade. After the earthquake, the
church was completely brought down, with no structure left.

Figure 6. Loay Church interior and bell tower

The Loay Church was also made of coral-stones and was built in the 19th century. It
was made to endure harsh weather conditions. However, it did not escape from being
damaged by the earthquake.

Figure 7. Church of Our Lady of the Assumption before (left) and after (right) the earthquake.
 The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, also known as Dauis Church, is built by
the Jesuits. It is located in the island of Panglao. The walls and the roof of the church was
damaged, but the bell tower is still left standing.

Figure 8. Parroquia de la Santa Cruz before (left) and after (right) the earthquake.

The Parroquia de la Santa Cruz, also known as Maribojoc Church, was built in the
19th century also by the Jesuits. A visit by the Task Force Heritage and Project Kisame in the
site showed that the church is in utter destruction.

The damages in the structures, evident on the destruction of multiple historical

buildings, also calls for the strict implementation of the National Building Code. The
damaged churches, schools, offices, and other buildings signify the failure of implementation
of the building code.

The earthquake in Bohol in October of 2013 became a wake-up call to Filipinos that
disasters such as this can take place anytime. It is of utmost importance that each and every
Filipino is prepared to respond in this kind of situation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC), then called the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC), in cooperation with other government agencies, has already conducted
extensive information and education campaigns on the disaster risks on the island, including
the mapping of hazards. This was part of Bohols involvement in the Hazards Mapping and
Assessment for Effective Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (READY) project, a
multi-hazard, multi-agency initiative involving the NDRRMCs Office of Civil Defense,
PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
References

Andrade, J, Dizon, N. October 16, 2013. Bohol quake like 32 Hiroshima bombs. Inquirer.
Retrieved on August 29, 2017. Retrieved in http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/507373/bohol-
earthquake-strongest-to-hit-visayas-and-mindanao-in-over-20-years

La Vina, DT, Berse, K. October 20, 2013. Lessons from the Bohol disaster: Part 1. Rappler.
Retrieved on August 29, 2017. Retrieved in https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/41766-
lessons-bohol-disaster-part-1

Lagmay, AMF, Ybanez, R, Eco, R. October 20, 2013. Magnitude 7.2 temblor rocks Bohol,
Philippines (Initial assessment). National Institute of Geological Sciences, College of
Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Retrieved on August 29, 2017. Retrieved in
http://blog.noah.dost.gov.ph/2013/10/20/magnitude-7-2-temblor-rocks-bohol-philippines-
initial-assessment/

Luces, Kim. October 15, 2013. From treasure to rubble: Heritage churches before and after
the Bohol quake. GMA News Online. Retrieved on August 29, 2017. Retrieved in
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/330979/from-treasure-to-rubble-
heritage-churches-before-and-after-the-bohol-quake/story/

Phivolcs, 2013. Primer on the 2013 Bohol earthquake. Retrieved on August 29, 2017.
Retrieved in http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.