A powerful earthquake jolted Abra on Wednesday morning, damaging houses, century-old churches and other structures in the province and in adjoining and other provinces in the Cordilleras and other parts of Northern Luzon.
At least two people were reported killed while scores were injured in the affected areas as reported by local officials although reports of casualties are still being validated disaster control officials.
The temblor, with a magnitude of 7.0, struck near the town of Lagangilang in Abra and was strongly felt in the neighboring provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Benguet and in other provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) held an emergency meeting following the quake, which was also felt in Metro Manila and was continuing to record aftershocks in the affected areas.
The government mobilized its response, with officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development flying to Abra and other areas while the Philippine Air Force flew aerial inspections in Northern Luzon.
Most of the affected areas, including coastal villages and towns in Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan due to fear of tsunamis, have shut down their communication and power lines.
Work suspensions were also imposed in some of the affected towns and provinces, especially in Abra.
The NDRRMC initially reported one death in La Trinidad, Benguet, while initial reports on damages coming from local officials showed widespread damage in Abra and Ilocos region, especially on houses and old buildings, including historic churches and hospitals.
The NDRRMC also reported damaged roads and cases of landslides in Abra and Benguet, shutting off traffic.
In Abra, Vice Governor Joy Bernos told radio station DZBB in Manila that a 25-year-old man died in the capital town of Bangued after he was pinned by debris inside his house. Twenty-five others were also reported injured.
Bernos said 25 people also evacuated in the Municipality of Villa Viciosa, while residents in other parts of the province have set up temporary shelters in open areas for fear that aftershocks would collapse their homes.
She said they were not also recommending to residents to seek shelters in government-erected evacuation centers because these were made of concrete and have incurred damages following the quake.
The municipality of Manabo was isolated after the key road leading into the town was blocked by debris due to a landslide.
Bernos said houses, buildings and churches were damaged, including in the town of Lagangilang, as also confirmed by its acting chief of police, Lt. Boy Kis-ing.
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Christian Castillejos Saguitan, in a message relayed to the DAR Central Office, said they are now coordinating with the building owner where DAR La Union Office is situated as well as the local NDRRMC office in the province to check on the building following the quake as soon as possible.
“If it is certified as safe, then we go back to work. Until we get that from any authorized entity, all work is suspended for DAR La Union,” she said.
At the same time, Saguitan said employees of DAR whose homes were damaged or need help in any way are advised to get in touch with the DAR through their official group chat.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake was recorded at exactly 8:43 a.m. with epicenter 2 kilometers northeast of Lagangilang, Abra.
The earthquake was strongly felt in the National Capital Region (NCR), and nearby provinces. Phivolcs said Intensity IV was felt in Quezon City.
Phivolcs said they expect the earthquake to cause damages and cautioned the public against expected aftershocks that may occur.
Abra Rep. Ching Bernos, in a news statement, said “I urge everyone to stay alert and to prioritize safety in light of the possibilities of aftershocks that might be felt after that strong earthquake. We are monitoring the situation on the ground and gathering information on the extent of the damage to the Province. My office is also actively coordinating with proper authorities on what can be done to assist families and communities that were severely affected by this earthquake.”
PNP PIO chief Brig. Gen Roderick Augustus Balba said the PNP is currently collating information on the ground from areas hardly hit by the earthquake.
“We will soon release our assessment. As of now, our priority is to respond to various reports regarding those individuals who are affected by the effects of the strong quake. Coordination is also being made with other frontline government agencies and responders who are on top of the situation,” he said.
Gordon alerts PRC chapters
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon on Wednesday directed all PRC chapters to be on stand-by following a powerful earthquake that shook parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Gordon also asked the chapters to perform assessments within their areas of responsibility following the big earthquake.
The PRC said that several houses and infrastructures in different locations are severely damaged after the earthquake.
Gordon also urged all affected local government units and the Department of Public Works and Highways to assess damages and the safety of buildings and structures to ensure the safety of all.
The PRC also reminded the quake-hit areas to stay alert and vigilant for any aftershocks. With Jonathan L. Mayuga and Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
Image credits: Nonie Reyes/Contributed photos, Mountain Province DRRM Office