North Luzon airports reported no damage after Abra quake — CAAP

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck Abra on Tuesday night did not cause any damage to airports in Northern Luzon, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday.
 
In an advisory, the CAAP said that the Vigan and Baguio airports, which are part of Area 1, “incurred no damage to [their] runway, buildings, and equipment.”
 
“All personnel have been accounted for,” it said.
 
Northern Luzon airports in the CAAP’s Area 1 include Laoag, Vigan, Lingayen, Baguio, Rosales, and San Fernando Airports. 
 
PHIVOLCS said the epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, was located seven kilometers northwest of Lagayan, Abra. 

Meanwhile, initial assessments of the Laoag Airport runway, buildings, and structures are now being made.
 
The CAAP said it issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the closure of operations at Laoag Airport effective October 26, 7 a.m. until October 27, 7:10 a.m.
 
Two flight operations have been canceled, including Philippine Airlines flights between Manila and Laoag. 
 
For Area 2, the CAAP said that the Tuguegarao Airport incurred no damage to its facilities and other properties and is ready for operations. 
 
CAAP’s Area 2 airports include Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Palanan, Bagabag, Basco, and Itbayat airports. 
 
In Area 3, the agency said that no significant damage was reported and “all airports are currently on normal operation.”

Area 3 airports include Plaridel, Alabat, Jomalig, Baler, Iba, Mamburao, Pinamalayan, Calapan, Wasig, San Jose, Lubang, Marinduque, Romblon, Sangley, and Cabanatuan.
 
“CAAP Operations Center and Airport Safety Officers are continuously monitoring the status of the airports in view of possible aftershocks,” it said.
 
At least 409 aftershocks have been recorded after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted Lagayan, Abra on Tuesday night, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology officer-in-charge Teresito Bacolcol said on Wednesday.
 
At the public briefing, Bacolcol said that five of these aftershocks were felt, with the strongest one having a magnitude of 4.8.
 
Bacolcol said that it would probably take several days or weeks for the aftershocks to dissipate. — with Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News