Batangas quake forces MTR3, LRT2 ops to stop for minutes

Operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3,  and Light Rail Transit Line 2 momentarily halted as the temblor from the 6.3-magnitude quake off Calatagan, Batangas that struck at about 7:34 a.m. on Christmas Day reached Metro Manila.

Super Radyo dzBB's Allan Gatus reported the shaking from the quake that was felt at MRT3 train stations forced the management to stop the operations for minutes.

MRT3 management advised its train operators to stop at the nearest station for precautionary measures when the strong quake was felt in Metro Manila at 7:43 a.m.

Train operations resumed at 8:32 a.m., with a 50kph speed limit at the mainline, after checking of tracks.

MRT-3 ADVISORY

At 7:43AM, an earthquake was felt in Metro Manila. All train drivers were advised to stop at the nearest station for precautionary measures.

At 8:32AM, trains resumed its operations with a 50kph speed limit at the mainline, after checking of tracks. pic.twitter.com/NELHkVyxkB

— DOTr MRT-3 (@dotrmrt3) December 25, 2020

Meanwhile, the management of LRT2 also decided to temporarily suspend its operations due to the quake.

"Our Engineering, Maintenance, and Safety & Security Team is currently conducting foot patrol inspection to assess the integrity of LRT2 structures," it said.

Aside from Metro Manila, the Batangas quake was also felt nearby provinces, including  Bataan and Bulacan.

PHIVOLCS said the quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 74 kilometers.

The following intensities were recorded several areas: 

• Intensity IV - Lemery, and Malvar, Batangas; San Pedro, Laguna; City of Manila; Marikina City; Quezon City; Cainta and Antipolo City, Rizal; Pasig City
• Intensity III - Caloocan City; Tanay, Rizal; San Jose Del Monte City, and Plaridel, Bulacan; Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; Cabangan and Iba, Zambales; Samal,
• Bataan; Valenzuela City; Malabon City
• Intensity II - San Isidro, Nueva Ecija; Alaminos City, Pangasinan
• Instrumental Intensities were also recorded:
• Intensity IV - Bacoor City; Tagaytay City; Carmona, Cavite; Plaridel, Calumpit, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, and Malolos, Bulacan; Guagua, Pampanga; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Las Pinas City
• Intensity III - Talisay, Batangas; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Dagupan City; Quezon City; Pasig City; Muntinlupa City; Marikina City; Cabanatuan City
• Intensity II - Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Lucban, Quezon; Baler, Aurora; Palayan City
• Intensity I - San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Gumaca, Lopez and Lucena City, Quezon

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum said there is no threat of tsunami following the quake. Significant damage are also not expected, he added. —LBG, GMA News