Following the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Abra and was felt throughout the city on Wednesday, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued an order suspending work and education in the private and public sectors.
Apart from a student at Saint Louis University who reportedly “jumped” out of terror, Magalong claimed they have not yet received any reports of injuries.
“As of today, as of this time, wala tayong serious damage, no injuries, no serious injuries reported except for one particular student na nag panic doon sa Saint Louis University na tumalon,” the mayor said.
“Hindi namin alam kung ano ‘yung extent ng kanyang injury but she was already rushed to the hospital. So we’re not getting in touch with the hospital,” he added.
He added that they are working with barangay officials to coordinate any complaints of suspicious events.
“We’re now also getting in touch with the barangay officials para mag report agad sila ng mga untoward incidents or any critical incidents na nangyari sa kanila. So far wala pa naman tayong natatanggap ngayon,” Mayor Magalong said.
Work, class suspended in Baguio after magnitude 7 earthquake
“So far, wala naman tayong damage pa. We have several constituents at residents na nahilo at, you know, first aid is already being administered to them,” he later added.
Magalong asked building owners to call a meeting of their safety teams right away, inspect for structural damage, and report any destruction to the LGU without delay.
“We are appealing to all the building owners na wag muna nila papasukin ‘yung kanilang mga occupants sa mga buildings until such time that we are deemed safe by the structural engineers o kaya nung kanilang mga safety officers,” he said.
According to him, the occurrences can be reported to 911, the Baguio City Police Office, or the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Magalong advised locals to hold off until more information was released. The government is in control of the situation, he added.
The earthquake, which was initially recorded as having a magnitude of 7.3, was reported to have happened at 8:43 a.m. in Abra at a location of 17.64°N and 120.63°E, approximately 003 km N and 45°W of Tayum. It was 17 kilometers deep.
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