Tremor pushes people out of city hall building in Lucena

The facade of the century-old Quezon Provincial Capitol in Lucena City. INQUIRER PHOTO/DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LUCENA CITY—Local government employees and visitors rushed out of the city hall building after an earthquake on Wednesday that hit Abra province was also felt in this city.

“The tremor was not that strong, but it was frightening. I nearly lost one of my slippers while running out of the building after the earthquake stopped,” Delia Rey, 65, a city resident, told the Inquirer.

She said she was about to pay realty tax when she felt the earthquake and immediately sought cover for protection.

Arnel Avila, city public information officer, said City Administrator Anacleto Alcala Jr. ordered the employees and city hall visitors to remain outside of the building even after the shaking stopped while personnel from the City Engineering Office were conducting inspection and assessment.

At around 10 a.m., the government workers were allowed to return to the building and resume operations after the authorities reported no damage or threats to public safety.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), reported that a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Abra at 8:43 a.m.

Shaking was also reported in many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

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