BAGUIO CITY — A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the whole province of Abra, the neighboring provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan and Isabela at around 10:59 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the data provided by the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology, the 6.7 magnitude earthquake is 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.

Various intensities were also recorded as reported from several places. 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 in 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; and Iba, Zambales.

It was not specified what intensity hit the other provinces of the Cordillera Region but reports and social media posts indicate that residences also 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.

Damaged structures

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.

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.

PhiVolcs is not expecting a destructive tsunami threat but foresees damages after 17 aftershocks were recorded as of 2 a.m. on Wednesday, 26 October.

The damages, it said, will "depend on other factors such as structural integrity of buildings, characteristics on the ground where these buildings are constructed, among others."

However, "earthquakes of this size may generate unusual sea level disturbances that may be observed along coasts near the earthquake epicenter of Abra province," it added.

Airports unscathed

On Wednesday afternoon, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed that airports located near the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Abra, which occurred at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday, reported no damage to their facilities.

Per CAAP Area 1 Manager Mr. Ronald Estabillo, initial assessments of the Laoag Airport runway, buildings, and structures are now being done.

CAAP issued a NOTAM regarding the closure of airport operations in Laoag Airport effective today, 26 October 7 a.m. until tomorrow, 27 October 7:10 a.m. Two flight operations have been canceled, including PAL flights between Manila and Laoag.

Vigan and Baguio airports, on the other hand, incurred no damage to their runways, buildings, or equipment. All personnel has been accounted for.

While the CAAP Area 2 Manager, Mary Sulyn Sagorsor, reported that Tuguegarao Airport also incurred no damage to its facilities and other properties, and is ready for operations,
CAAP Area 3 Manager Glenn Tripulca reported no significant damage to airports in Area 3. All airports are currently in normal operation.

Northern Luzon airports in CAAP Area 1 include Laoag, Vigan, Lingayen, Baguio, Rosales and San Fernando Airports.

CAAP said that Area Center 2 airports include Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Palanan, Bagabag, Basco, and Itbayat Airports. Included in Area Center 3 airports are Plaridel, Alabat, Jomalig, Baler, Iba, Mamburao, Pinamalayan, Calapan, Wasig, San Jose, Lubang, Marinduque, Romblon, Sangley and Cabanatuan.

"The Operations Center and Airport Safety Officers are continuously monitoring the status of the airports in view of possible aftershocks," CAAP added.
WITH Anthony Ching and Michelle Guillang