BANGUED, Abra – Barely three months after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that caused heavy damage in Abra, another strong earthquake rocked the provinces of Luzon on Oct. 25 with its epicenter in Lagayan.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the quake as magnitude 6.4 with intensity 5 felt in almost all the towns of Abra.
In the emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) the following day to assess the aftermath of the earthquake, reports showed there were 11 individuals injured – six in Lagayan, three in San Juan, one in San Quintin, and one in Daguioman. No one was reported dead or missing.
The PDRRM Office, reported P24,422,125 worth of damage in agriculture, houses, fisheries, local roads, and government facilities among other infrastructures.
PDRRMC members are still assessing other damage per sector.
On damaged houses, the PDRRMO recorded six totally damaged houses in Lagayan. There were also 40 partially damaged houses, of which 21 are in Dilong in Tubo, seven in San Quintin, and 12 in Tineg.
The Department of Education Abra Schools Division Office reported 58 damaged school buildings as of Oct. 26.
Senior Education Specialist Jan Nowell Peña said inspection teams are verifying other school buildings with damage.
Gov. Dominic Valera and PDRRMC chair suspended classes on Oct. 26 and 27 to ensure the safety of the students.
Relief assistance was delivered to the town within 24 hours after the earthquake.
The governor instructed all council member-agencies to submit a daily situational report from their end which will cover their disaster mitigation-related accomplishments.
“We need you cooperation and support in the continuous delivery of our services for the Abreños especially in the midst of a catastrophic event like this,” Valera said. – Christian Tubadeza
April 20, 2024
