7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Abra Province

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck the island region of Luzon Wednesday morning, July 27, with the epicenter at the province of Abra.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the earthquake’s actual magnitude was 7.3, which occurred at exactly 8:43 am Philippine Standard Time, with a depth of 25 kilometers.

Phivolcs also warned the public of aftershocks.

Abra representative Ching Bernos urged her constituents to be wary of aftershocks and added that monitoring of the area is being undertaken.

Image from Bureau of Fire Protection

“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. 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. More importantly, please join us in praying for Abra and the continuous safety of our beloved Abreños,” Bernos said.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs said in an advisory that there is no tsunami threat to the country following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake.

According to data from Phivolcs, the earthquake was reported in the following areas with corresponding intensities:

Intensity VII – Bucloc and Manabo, Abra
Intensity VI – Vigan City, Sinait, Bantay, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur; Laoac, Pangasinan;
Baguio City;
Intensity V – Magsingal and San Juan, Ilocos Sur, Alaminos City and Labrador, Pangasinan;
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; Mexico, Pampanga; Concepcion, and Tarlac City, Tarlac;
City of Manila; City of Malabon
Intensity IV – 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; San Mateo, Rizal
Intensity III – Bolinao, Pangasinan; Bulakan, Bulacan; Tanay, Rizal
Intensity II – General Trias City, Cavite; Santa Rosa City, Laguna

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in a statement that the government will cater to the needs of those affected by the earthquake.

“Ngayong umaga, sa oras na 8:43, tayo’y nakaranas ng isang lindol na may lakas na magnitude 7.3. Ang mga ulat ng mga ahensiya at ng mga lokal na pamahalan sa mga lugar na napinsala ay patuloy na dumarating sa ating tanggapan.

Sa kabila ng nakalulungkot na mga ulat tungkol sa pinsalang dulot ng lindol, ating sinisigurado ang maagap na pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang apektado ng sakunang ito,” the Facebook page of Marcos said.

Marcos then held a press briefing in the afternoon and said that he will not be in the affected areas

“I will be staying away from going to the affected areas for a very simple reason–it has been my experience as governor, it has been my experience in Yolanda that when the national officers come to the affected areas, immediately ginugulo lang namin ‘yong trabaho ng mga local,” the president said.

“Pupunta ako doon maghahanap pa ako ng pulis nag magse-secure, kailangan ako i-meeting ng mga local officials. Marami silang ginagawa. So I said, let them do their work. Let us wait for them to tell us what the true situation is, then maybe I can schedule a trip perhaps tomorrow, as soon as possible,” he added.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. reported during the press briefing that regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are affected.

Moreover, Abalos said that 15 provinces, 15 cities, 280 municipalities, and 6,756 barangays are affected by the earthquake.

Abalos added that noted conditions of the affected areas are road closures in some parts of Abra, power interruptions in Abra and Benguet, intermittent communication lines in Region 1, landslides in some parts of CAR, and minor damages to other regions.

Moreover, the interior government secretary also said that the initial casualty count is 60 injured and 4 deaths.

Among the dead are 2 in Benguet, 1 in Abra, and 1 in Mountain Province. (GFB)