BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES — Just in, the magnitude 5.0 earthquake today just hit the areas in Batangas City and the province earlier around 8:24 am. The epicenter has been said to come from the northern part of Mabini. The seismic event took place at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (equivalent to 6 miles), causing mild tremors to southern parts of the country.

According to reports, there have been no casualties or seriously damaged infrastructures. However, it was stated that the authorities could take several hours to conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Moreover, the aftershocks are expected to end in the next few days.

On the other hand, officials may temporarily shut down transport infrastructure in affected areas to check for damage. Minor disruptions may also occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if conditions are going well. Utility outages are also expected, particularly in the earthquake’s epicenter.

Meanwhile, the town of Calaca in Batangas was also struck by the magnitude 5.0 earlier during the same time. The earthquake stemmed from tectonic activity and had a focal depth of 14 kilometers. 

Here’s an advisory officially released by PHIVOLCS:

Intensity V (Strong)

• Lemery, Batangas

Intensity IV (Moderately strong)

• Cuenca, Bauan, Sta. Teresita, and San Luis, Batangas
• Tagaytay City, Cavite; Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

Intensity III (Weak)

• Laurel, Batangas City, Batangas
• Tagaytay City, Cavite; Dolores, Quezon

Intensity I (Scarcely perceptible)

• Dinalupihan, Bataan
• Malvar, Batangas
• Malolos City, and Guiguinto, Bulacan
• Ternate, Cavite
• San Pablo, Laguna
• Malabon City, Pateros, City of San Juan, City of Parañaque, Metro Manila
• Abra De Ilog, and Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
• Lucban, Lucena City, and Alabat, Quezon
• Tanay, Rizal

“So far everything’s okay. No casualties although this is the epicenter,” said Rafael Cuevas, a disaster agency official in Calaca City in Batangas province regarding the.

“We felt a strong shake… for less than 10 seconds.”

Mabini Municipality disaster chief Arnold Panopio also stated the earthquake in Batangas City and its neighboring areas went from slight jolt to stronger impacts.

“At first it was just a slight jolt then it became strong then stopped immediately.” Panopio said.

Panopio also added that there were no casualties or damage after the earthquake today in Batangas.

Earthquakes commonly occur in the Philippines along with other natural disasters. This is mainly due to the fact that the country sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity, extending from Japan, through Southeast Asia, and across the expanse of the Pacific Basin.

Source: (1), (2), (3)

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