Strong earthquake jolts Northern Luzon

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY-- A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the whole province of Abra, neighboring provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan and Isabela at around 10:590 p.m. of Oct. 25.
    According to data provided by the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcS), the 6.7 magnitude earthquake is of tectonic in origin and with a depth of 028 kilometers.
    The epicenter was located at 17.76°North, 120.76°East - 007 km North 58° West of Tineg, Abra.
    Intensities were also recorded by PhiVolcS as reported from several places of the Northern part of the country.
Intensity V was felt in Sinait Municipality and Vigan City of Ilocos Sur; Laoag City and Pasuquin town of Ilocos Norte. Intensity IV was experienced by Bangued, Abra and Baguio City.
    Intensity III was felt at Baler, Aurora; and Ilagan, Isabela. Intensity II in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Urdaneta town and Dagupan City of Pangasinan and in Madella, Quirino 
    Intensity I was also felt in Dinalupihan, Bataan; Bulakan, Calumpit, Malolos City, Plaridel, Bulacan; Pasig City, Navotas City; Cabanatuan City and San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Guagua, Pampanga; Umingan, Sison, Bolinao, Infanta, and Bani, Pangasinan; Polillo, Mauban, and Infanta, Quezon; Tanay and Taytay, Rizal; Ramos, Tarlac; Iba, Zambales.
    Other provinces aside from Cordillera felt the strong ground shakes.
    Many historical and modern buildings and infrastructure as well as residences incurred light to heavy damages in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra. In Abra, the residences especially in the hard-hit areas where a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit them on July of 2022 have to sleep outside their residences out of fear.
    The Parish of Nuestra Señora de La Paz of Iglesia Filipina Independiente in La Paz, and houses in Lagayan in Abra were totally damaged because of the tremor. The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Intensive Care Unit in Batac and the Welcome Arc of Marcos in Ilocos Norte also incurred heavy damages.
Seventeen aftershocks were recorded as of 2 a.m. of Oct. 26.
    The Provincial Governments of Abra, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte and the Municipal Governments of Besao and Bontoc in Mountain Province immediately declared the suspension of classes in all levels both private and public schools. Ilocos Norte and Abra also suspended work in government offices. Ilocos Sur meanwhile also declared the suspension of work in both private and public sector.
    This is to prioritize the assessment and needed measures to address the damages caused by the earthquake.