Work in all first and second level courts in La Trinidad, Tuba and Itogon in Benguet were suspended on Oct. 9, Thursday after a magnitude 4.4 earthquake jolted the area, the Supreme Court (SC) said Thursday.

The SC said the work suspension took effect starting 12 p.m.

Citing the “imminent threats” that the earthquake may cause, the La Trinidad Regional Trial Court said it suspended work to ensure the safety and welfare of all court stakeholders and personnel. 

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the magnitude 4.4 earthquake hit Pugo, La Union at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said there are no expected aftershocks and that the earthquake in Pugo, La Union was not related to the powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Cebu last week.

Intensity IV was felt over Pugo and Tubao in La Union, as well as Baguio City.

Intensity III was felt over Itogon in Benguet, Villasis in Pangasinan, and San Fernando in La Union.

Several areas suspended classes due to the earthquake. 

(with reports from Joahna Lei Casilao, JMA, GMA Integrated News)