A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sultan Kudarat on Thursday morning, the latest in a relentless swarm of more than 2,200 tremors that has displaced thousands and shuttered schools across the region.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the tectonic quake at 7:43 a.m., centered 38 kilometers southwest of Kalamansig at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
The tremor was felt at Intensity II in T’boli and Surallah, South Cotabato, as well as Palimbang and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. Lower intensities were reported in Zamboanga City and parts of Sarangani.
Since the swarm began on 19 January, Phivolcs has logged 2,264 earthquakes in the area. Magnitudes have ranged from 1.3 to 5.9, with 84 of the tremors strong enough to be felt by residents.
The ongoing instability prompted officials in Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang to suspend classes and government work until further notice. Surallah, South Cotabato, also announced a Friday class suspension.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than P11.9 million in humanitarian aid to families displaced by a magnitude 5.7 quake that hit earlier in the week.
“DSWD Field Office 12 continues to distribute aid to families in evacuation centers,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.