CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) -- Government authorities said no damage was reported following a magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck Calaca, Batangas, at 8:24 a.m. on Friday, October 13.
Calaca Mayor Nas Ona said the city disaster management council immediately conducted a disaster risk assessment after the quake and reported no damage to public buildings, private factories, or warehouses in the town’s 40 barangays.
"At present, our CDRRMO and Engineering Office are focused on determining the extent of damage caused by the earthquake we experienced this morning. Our command center is set up at the city hall to closely monitor the upcoming developments and to ensure that our personnel are prepared to provide assistance if needed," Ona said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tremor struck five kilometers southwest of Calaca City and that aftershocks are expected.
In Laguna Province, employees of San Pedro City temporarily evacuated the city hall after the quake. Their local disaster office and engineering office likewise conducted an inspection of schools as the city government suspended the classes at all levels.
The earthquake was also felt in Rizal province, prompting Capitol employees to vacate their office buildings.
The Office of Civil Defense IV-A, said no significant effects or damage were reported throughout the region after the temblor. Local disaster offices, however, continued monitoring and assessing the situation on ground.
The OCD IV-A likewise reminded the public to stay calm and do the duck, cover, and hold protocol when inside a building during an earthquake. It also advised the public to stay away from glass windows, shelves, and heavy objects, and exit the building towards the designated evacuation area.
Intensity V was recorded in Batangas City, Calaca City, and Lemery, Batangas; Intensity IV in Alitagtag, Balayan, Bauan, Calatagan, Lian, Mabini, Mataasnakahoy, San Luis, Santa Teresita, Taal, Tingloy, and Tuy, Batangas and Muntinlupa City; and Intensity III in Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Ibaan, Laurel, City of Lipa, Lobo, Malvar, Nasugbu, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Nicolas, San Pascual, City of Sto. Tomas, Talisay, City of Tanauan, and Taysan, Batangas, Amadeo, City of Dasmariñas,Indang, Magallanes, Mendez-Nuñez, Silang, and City of Tagaytay, Cavite; San Pedro City, Laguna; and Dolores and Tiaong towns in Quezon.
Intensity II was reported in Rosario, Batangas; cities of Bacoor and General Trias, Cavite; San Pablo City, Laguna, Mauban, Quezon;, Metro Manila cities of Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Pasay City, and Pateros; and Obando and Meycauyan City in Bulacan, while Intensity I was felt in Naic, Cavite, Cardona, and Morong towns in Rizal, San Juan, Batangas, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Caloocan City, and Pasig City. (CH/PIA-Laguna)
