By Kate Giordan Flores
Superficial cracks and broken equipment surfaced at the Silliman University (SU) Fine Arts Building and Woodward Hall after consequent earthquakes and flooding recently hit Dumaguete City.
Residents attributed some damages to the effect of the magnitude 6.9 and 7.2 earthquakes that struck northern Cebu and Davao Oriental, respectively, and the ankle-deep flooding brought by Typhoon Ragasa last Sept. 30.
According to Rep. Uldarico II Calasang from the SU College of Performing and Visual Arts, floodings and cracks were observed in separate floors of the Dungon Cottage and Romeo Ariniego Gallery.
“The second floor ga cracks na siya and sometimes, we are actually being warned by our professors na dili kaayo mag daghan og saka sa second floor kay naay possibility na mahugno,” Calasang shared.
[There are cracks in the second floor and sometimes, we are actually being warned by our professors to avoid going up in groups because there is a possibility of it collapsing.]
Moreover, he mentioned that some student projects and percussion instruments of the University Band, which also occupies the Dungon Cottage, were drenched due to the flooding.
To address, Calasang passed a resolution for the SU Facilities and Management and Administrative Services (FMAS) to conduct a structural evaluation of the buildings.
Chrisopher Viña, president of Woodward Hall One Formation House President, also shared that a crack outside the dormitory worsened due to the recent earthquakes.
He confirmed that the FMAS have inspected the cracks and “declared that it is not an issue to the structure of the building.”
Other dormers also discovered cracks in the interior walls, but are yet to be fully assessed and confirmed to be safe by FMAS.
“We have been checking the cracks that have existed before the earthquake, […] the engineers have only inspected the wall outside,” Viña said.
Meanwhile, SU Student Government (SUSG) President Grylle Adrian Malala responded that it is “undeniable that structures no longer maintain the same level of structural integrity.”
“As a century-old institution, […] minor damages have become apparent, particularly visible as cracks in the dormitory buildings and other campus facilities,” he said.
Following reports from students, Malala said that the SUSG coordinated with its Dorm Life Committee to document the damages and file a report to the Students Housing and Residence Division.
“The SUSG has been proactive in addressing the damages observed around campus. The SUSG utilized all available communication channels to effectively relay these concerns,” he furthered.
In its recent advisory, the university also noted that most buildings are safe for occupancy while cleaning, repair, and monitoring of buildings and facilities continue.
