(UPDATED) A MAGNITUDE 7.0 earthquake struck Abra province and affected several areas in Luzon Wednesday morning, July 27, 2022.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) first reported the quake as a magnitude 7.3, but it lowered the magnitude to 7.0 after some verification.
The tremor struck at 8:43 a.m. Wednesday and had a depth of 17 kilometers, with the epicenter located at three kilometers northwest of Tayum, Abra.
In a statement, Abra Representative Ching Bernos said the jolt caused damage to several houses and establishments in the province.
“I urge everyone to stay alert and to prioritize safety in light of the possibilities of aftershocks that might be felt after that strong earthquake. We are monitoring the situation on the ground and gathering information on the extent of the damage to the Province,” he said.
“My office is also actively coordinating with proper authorities on what can be done to assist families and communities that were severely affected by this earthquake,” he added.
Cordillera Administrative Region police office spokesperson Captain Marnie Abellanida said power outages are currently being experienced in the area as reported by the Abra police station.
He said they are currently coordinating with concern units for the conduct of operations and monitoring in the affected areas.
All Philippine National Police (PNP) buildings and equipment in the province incurred no damage. All personnel are safe.
Police reported, however, that the Tinoc Bugiuas Road and Tinoc Kiangan Road are not passable due to multiple rock erosions.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Timbal said Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. is closely monitoring the situation.
Timbal said that initially, damage to properties and structures were reported in Abra and Vigan, as well as in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
“We are receiving preliminary info on damages from Abra local government units but these are subject for verification,” he said.
The quake was felt at Intensity 7 in Bucloc and Manabo, Abra; Intensity 6 in Vigan City, Sinait, Bantay, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur; Laoac, Pangasinan; and Baguio City; Intensity 5 in Magsingal and San Juan, Ilocos Sur; Alaminos City and Labrador, Pangasinan; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Mexico, Pampanga; Concepcion, and Tarlac City, Tarlac;
City of Manila; and City of Malabon; Intensity 4 in the City of Marikina; Quezon City; City of Pasig; City of Valenzuela; City of Tabuk,
Kalinga; Bautista and Malasiqui, Pangasinan; Bayombong and Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya; Guiguinto, Obando, and San Rafael, Bulacan; and San Mateo, Rizal; Intensity 3 in Bolinao, Pangasinan; Bulakan, Bulacan; and Tanay, Rizal; and Intensity 2 in General Trias City, Cavite; Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
It was also felt at Instrumental Intensities in the following areas:
* Intensity 7 - Vigan City
* Intensity 5 - Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Peñablanca, Cagayan; Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Baguio City
* Intensity 4 - Gonzaga, Cagayan; Baler, Aurora; Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Ramos, Tarlac; Ilagan, Isabela; Basista, Pangasinan; Claveria, Cagayan; San Jose, Palayan City and Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Madella, Quirino; Tabuk, Kalinga; Santiago City, Isabela
* Intensity 3 - Quezon City; Iba, Zambales; Navotas City, Malabon City, Metro Manila; Magalang and Guagua Pampanga; Bolinao, Sison & Infanta, Pangasinan; Bulakan, San Ildefonso, Guiguinto, Plaridel, and Malolos City, Bulacan; Tarlac City, Tarlac
* Intensity 2 - Dona Remedios Trinidad, Angat & Santa Maria, Bulacan; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Pasig City Metro Manila; Polillo, Gumaca & Infanta, Quezon
* Intensity 1 - Tanay, Taytay, Morong, Antipolo City, Rizal; Marilao,Bulacan; San Juan City, Las Pinas City, Metro Manila; Lucban, Quezon; Subic, Zambales; Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Olongapo City, Zambales; Carmona, Cavite
(SunStar Philippines)