Filtered By: Topstories
News

Magnitude 5.3 quake hits Camarines Norte


A magnitude 5.3 quake struck Tinaga Island, Camarines Norte on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

According to PHIVOLCS’ earthquake bulletin, the tectonic quake occurred at 1:05 p.m. with a depth of 1 kilometer.

The epicenter of the quake was 19 km N 62° E of Tinaga Island (Vinzons).

PHIVOLCS said Intensity II was felt in Quezon City.

Among the instrumental intensities reported were:

  •     Intensity V - Mercedes, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  •     Intensity IV - Daet, Camarines Norte; Guinayangan, Polillo, Quezon
  •     Intensity III - Ragay, Pili, Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Mauban, Lopez, Mulanay, Alabat, Gumaca, Quezon
  •     Intensity II - Tabaco, Albay; Dingalan, Aurora; Batangas City, Batangas; Calumpit, Plaridel, Pulilan, Marilao, San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Sagnay, Camarines Sur; Carmona, Cavite; Marikina City, Pasig City, Metro Manila; Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Guagua, Pampanga; Infanta,  Pangasinan; Dolores, Infanta, Calauag, Quezon; Taytay, Tanay, Rizal
  •     Intensity I - Legazpi City, Albay; Bulakan, Santa Maria, Guiguinto, Obando, Malolos City, Pandi, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan; Tagaytay City, Ternate, Cavite; Candon, Ilocos Sur; Calamba, Los Banos, Laguna; Malabon City, Pasay, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City, San Juan City, Metro Manila; Mapanas, Northern Samar; San Antonio, Gabaldon, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Tayabas, Lucena City, Quezon; Angono, Morong, Antipolo, Cainta, Rizal.

The agency said aftershocks are also expected following the quake.

“Inaasahan natin na may aftershocks pa pero sa ngayon hindi pa po inaasahan na may damage at hindi pa rin po inaasahan kung magkakaroon ng tsunami,” Tom Simborio, PHIVOLCS science research assistant, said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(We expect aftershocks but we do not expect any damage. We also do not expect a tsunami.)

He also reminded the public to report any damage to the authorities.

“Paalala po sa mga kababayan natin na kung sakaling may damage sa ating lugar ay maireport po sa atin para matignan po nang maigi. At saka always duck, cover, and hold lalo na po sa mga malalapit dahil may inaasahan pa po tayong aftershocks,” he added.

(We remind the public to report to authorities any damage in their area so that it can be checked thoroughly. They also should always duck, cover, and hold because of the expected aftershocks.)

Filjohn Dythingco, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) head of Mercedes, Camarines Norte, said they already gave first aid to some students who experienced dizziness following the quake.

“Okay naman po kami dito, medyo malakas lang po talaga 'yung lindol. Nagshake po itong covered court ng Barangay Del Rosario at may mga naulat din po sa amin na may mga estudyanteng nahilo sa Mercedes High School so pinuntahan na po namin 'yun at binigyan po namin ng first aid mga limang estudyante ang nahilo,” he said in a separate Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We are okay here, it's just that the earthquake was really strong. The covered court of Barangay Del Rosario shook and at least five students of Mercedes High School felt dizzy so we gave them first aid.)

Dythingco said that they are still monitoring the province, especially the coastal areas. He said they are still waiting for the possible reported damage.

He added that there was also no tsunami alert reported.

In a separate interview with Palace reporters, Climate Change Commission commissioner Robert Borje said the national government is exerting all efforts to prepare for this kind of strong earthquake.

"The government is doing all that it can to be prepared for this type of earthquake and other disasters and I think the NDRRMC is working very hard together with OCD and the members of the NDRRMC to ensure that we are all prepared," Borje said.

He said there was a discussion on making the Philippines, especially Metro Manila, more prepared for earthquakes.

"And may I say that perhaps it’s also appropriate to consider typhoon preparedness as part of the plan. Kung mayroon tayong national earthquake day or earthquake drill, siguro maganda may similar activities for climate change induced risks and hazards para preparado ang lahat sa anumang mangyayari," Borje said.

(If we have earthquake day or earthquake drill, it's better if we have similar activities for climate change induced risks and hazards so we will be prepared.)—with Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA Integrated News

LOADING CONTENT