VIRAC, Catanduanes–The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has yet to receive a report regarding possible damage from the magnitude 5.0 earthquake that shook Catanduanes 12:16 a.m. Saturday.
PDRRMC in-charge Jerry Beo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he has yet to establish communications with local officials in Gigmoto town where the epicenter was located.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) calculated the epicenter of the quake to be in the vicinity of Barangay (village) Dororian at 13.719 degree north and 124.384 degree east, or around six kilometers south of Gigmoto proper.
The island province of Catanduanes is just 200 kilometers west of the Philippine Trench, which has generated large earthquakes in the past.
In the capital town of Virac, many people were roused from their sleep by the earthquake, which they say was preceded by a humming sound. According to subdivision residents Guillermo Castilla and Leo Austero, the shaking was strong enough for them to hear creaking and groaning sounds coming from their houses.
The USGS said earthquakes of this magnitude usually have aftershocks, with the secondary shock waves usually less violent but could be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and may occur in the first hours, days, weeks or even months after the quake.
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