Manila, Oct. 1 -- All local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) in Western Visayas, down to the barangay level, have been ordered to assess the structural integrity of buildings and other critical infrastructure facilities within their jurisdiction.

Regional DRRMC chair and Civil Defense Director for Western Visayas Raul Fernandez signed Memorandum Order No. 69 on Wednesday in light of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City in Cebu that jolted almost the entire region on Tuesday evening.

Fernandez said the assessment is in line with their mandate to ensure public safety.

"All concerned agencies, offices, and stakeholders are hereby enjoined to coordinate with the provincial/city/municipal engineering office, the...