In the wake of a significant 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on January 23, 2025, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a stern warning to the residents of Southern Leyte. The advisory, released on Monday, highlights the dangers of six specific locations in the province that have been compromised by landslides and rockfalls triggered by the seismic event. These areas include Pres. Quezon village in Liloan, Malico, Tuno, and Pinamudlan villages in San Francisco, and Nueva Estrella Norte and Nueva Estrella Sur villages in Pintuyan. Additionally, a rockfall was reported along the Liloan Roadcut on the national highway connecting Luzon to Mindanao. Phivolcs emphasized the importance of avoiding these zones, especially during heavy rainfall or further seismic activity, which could exacerbate the risk of landslides. The region has been experiencing aftershocks, with Phivolcs recording at least 20 earthquakes in the last three days. The ongoing seismic activity is attributed to Southern Leyte’s location in a seismically active part of the Philippines, influenced by the Philippine Fault and other local faults, some of which may be concealed by recent geological deposits. The January 23 earthquake’s epicenter was located 10.01 km southeast of San Francisco municipality.
