Some buildings in the province of Ilocos Norte were damaged after a magnitude 5.6 quake rocked parts of Northern Luzon on Monday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.
“Based on initial report, we have damaged bricks and walls at the Sentinel Hill in Bangui. Sarrat has reported fallen bricks at the southern portion of altar of Sta. Monica. And a ceiling was damaged at the Robinsons Mall, including a motor shop in San Nicolas,” PDRRMO’s Marcel Tabije told the Philippine News Agency.
Tabije said authorities are still out in the field conducting assessment on the structural integrity of the other buildings.
He said major structures in the province have been declared safe so far.
After the ocular inspection of the Sarrat Church and upon the advice of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Father Ericson Josue, parish priest of the Sta. Monica Church, said church celebrations may be transferred to another place to ensure safety.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), aftershocks may cause damage in quake hit-areas.
Since the 5.6 quake at around 10:56 Monday morning, at least four aftershocks have been recorded, ranging from magnitudes 1.6 to 3.1, in the towns of Adams, Dumalneg and Bangui.
In neighboring Ilocos Sur, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) in Sta. Catalina immediately conducted coastal monitoring.
Phivolcs has warned residents of tsunami.
It said a magnitude 8.4 temblor might spawn waves as high as 14.7 meters. (Leilanie Adriano)
(Source: Philippine News Agency)