Classes in Masbate still suspended due to aftershocks

Local officials inspect buildings after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck Masbate on February 16, 2023. | PHOTO: Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office of Masbate FB

LEGAZPI CITY — Classes at all levels in Masbate were still suspended on Friday, Feb. 17, due to a series of aftershocks after the magnitude 6 earthquake that rocked the province on Thursday.

This would facilitate the inspection of school buildings to ensure the safety of the students and personnel. Gov. Antonio Kho said in a memorandum.

The suspension covers all public and private schools.

Kho encouraged other government units to assist in speeding up the assessment of the school buildings within their respective areas.

At 5:38 a.m. on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded a magnitude 4.8 earthquake, with the epicenter in southwest of Batuan town.

Intensity V was felt in Masbate City; Intensity II in Legazpi in Albay and Bulusan in Sorsogon; and Intensity I in Pili town and Iriga City in Camarines Sur, and Tabaco City in Albay.

Earlier on Thursday, Phivolcs also recorded a magnitude 6 earthquake at 2:10 a.m., with the epicenter 10 kilometers southwest of Batuan.

At 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, a magnitude 5 earthquake jolted the province.

The epicenter was 11 km northwest of Dimasalang town.

Phivolcs recorded 135 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.5 to 4.2. INQ

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