LUCENA CITY — Classes at all levels in public and private schools were suspended in Calaca City in Batangas province as a precaution after a magnitude 5 earthquake struck five kilometers southwest from the locality at 8:24 a.m. Thursday.
“In accordance with DepEd Order No. 37, s. 2022, classes in all levels of public and private schools are suspended due to the earthquake felt in the City of Calaca this morning, with an intensity of 5.0,” the city public information office posted on its Facebook page.
“This is to ensure the safety of everyone. Everyone is advised to stay safe in their homes,” it added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned in an initial bulletin that aftershocks and damage may be expected from this earthquake that was of tectonic origin.
Mayor Nas Ona said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Engineering Office are focused on assessing the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
“Our command center is set up at City Hall to closely monitor the ongoing developments and to ensure that our personnel are ready to provide assistance if needed,” he said on his Facebook page.
He assured his constituents that everything was in order and that the local government would continue to monitor and coordinate with national agencies for any necessary actions.
“Stay calm and prepared for any earthquake-related emergencies,” Ona appealed.
In its initial report, the CDRRMO said no damage was reported in 40 barangays, but that they were conducting continuous monitoring.
“No health-related issues were reported. Ongoing building assessment in all schools in coordination with the DepEd Calaca sub-office and other establishments,” the CDRRMO said.
Calaca, which is under Batangas’ first legislative district, has a population of 87,361 as of 2020 and a land area of 114.58 square kilometers.
The state volcanologist recorded various instrumental intensities in the following areas:
Instrumental Intensity V – Lemery, Batangas
Instrumental Intensity IV – Ibajay, Aklan; Cuenca, Bauan, Sta. Teresita, San Luis, Batangas; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
Instrumental Intensity III – Culasi, Antique; Laurel, Batangas City, Batangas; Tagaytay City, Cavite Dolores, Quezon; Donsol, Sorsogon
Instrumental Intensity II – Talisay, Rosario, Batangas; Magallanes, Cavite; Boac, Marinduque; Las Pinas, Pasay, Metro Manila; Rosario, Northern Samar; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Mauban, Polillo, Gumaca, Quezon; Taytay, Antipolo, Rizal
Instrumental Intensity I – Dinalupihan, Bataan; Malvar, Batangas; Malolos City, Guiguinto, Bulacan; Ternate, Cavite; Cebu City, Cebu; Candon, Ilocos Sur; San Pablo, Laguna; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; Malabon City, Pateros, San Juan City, Parañaque City, Metro Manila; Abra De Ilog, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro; Bani, Pangasinan Lucban, Lucena City, Alabat, Quezon; Tanay, Rizal; Tupi, South Cotabato. INQ
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