Quake jolts La Union; classes canceled

MANILA, Philippines —  A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck the town of Pugo in La Union, yesterday morning, prompting authorities to cancel classes and work in government offices, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the temblor, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 10:30 a.m., with its epicenter located three kilometers north of Pugo.

The quake was caused by the movement of the Earth’s crust rather than volcanic activity. It was felt at Intensity 4 in Pugo and Tubao, La Union as well as in Baguio City, where the shaking was described as moderately strong.

Intensity 3 was felt in Itogon, Benguet; Villasis, Pangasinan, and San Fernando, La Union.

Instrumental Intensity 5 was recorded in Baguio; 3 in Aringay in La Union, Bontoc in Mountain Province and Sison in Pangasinan; 2 in San Fernando in La Union, Nampicuan in Nueva Ecija and Dagupan in Pangasinan, and 1 in Lingayen and Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Phivolcs initially expected the quake to cause damage to property, but further assessments showed that parameters earlier recorded were not sufficient to cause damage.

No aftershocks were expected from the quake, state seismologists said.

School and local officials in Agoo, Aringay, Bagulin, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, Sto. Tomas, Sudipen and Tubao suspended classes and work due to the quake.

Up to 30 students were rushed to hospitals after suffering from dizziness due to panic during the incident.

La Union Gov. Mario Ortega ordered the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office to assess the situation and extend help where it is needed. – Artemio Dumlao, Cesar Ramirez