Batangas placed under state of calamity following quake

The provincial government of Batangas on Wednesday declared a state of calamity following the magnitude-5.5 earthquake that struck the province.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said he issued the declaration to allow the provincial government to better assess the damage sustained in the earthquake especially in public buildings.

"Tuloy-tuloy kami sa pag-a-assess ng mga development at damages kaya nag-declare na nga tayo ng state of calamity dahil kailangan inspeksyunin ang mga paaralan, ang mga ospital," he said.

In a separate interview radio dzBB, Mandanas said among the structures damaged by the quake was the Batangas Provincial Capitol Building. He said the initial estimated cost of damage on the building was P18 million.

Classes in all levels in the provinces have also been suspended as local engineers check the structural integrity of the classrooms.

The quake struck at past 8 p.m. on Tuesday. It was felt strongest at Intensity 6 in Batangas City.

The other reported intensities were:

• Intensity VI - Batangas City
• Intensity V - Malvar & Calatagan, Batangas
• Intensity IV - Makati City; Obando, Bulacan; Silang, Noveleta, Imus, and Indang, Cavite; Calamba, Laguna; Sta. Ana,Manila; Valenzuela City; Tagaytay City; Cuenca, Batangas
• Intensity III - Mandaluyong City; Quezon City; Gen. Trias, and Dasmariñas, Cavite ; Pasay City; Lucena City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna
• Intensity II - Talisay, Batangas; Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Pasig City; Meycauayan, Bulacan

Meanwhile, Mandanas said no casualty has been recorded and most infrastructure only sustained minor damage even in the town of Tingloy, where the epicenter of the quake was located.

 

"Even in Tingloy, which was close to the epicenter of this tragic earthquake, fortunately the damage is very small, but nevertheless we are going to be cautious," he said.

He said they have already sent construction materials to Tingloy for the repair of the damage infrastructure.

 

The local government has yet to release the cost of damage in the province, but Mandanas expects the total figure to be minimal.

More than 30 aftershocks were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology since 12:49 a.m. of Wednesday.  —with Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG/KBK, GMA News