BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake shook parts of Northern Luzon on Saturday, May 24, prompting residents, students, and government agencies to take precautionary measures.
The tremor was recorded off the coast of Luna, La Union at 10:36 in the morning.
In Baguio City, students and staff were seen rushing out of classrooms and offices at a local university as the ground began to shake.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was located 31 kilometers off Luna, La Union, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The quake was felt in several provinces, including Ilocos Norte, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and even as far as Baguio City.
In Luna, La Union, members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) monitored the shoreline throughout the day, checking for any unusual sea activity or damage.
Officials also conducted inspections on local buildings to ensure structural safety.
In nearby San Juan town, authorities also kept a close watch on the coastline, on alert for any signs of a possible tsunami.
The Provincial Disaster Management Team of La Union was likewise deployed to monitor various areas in the province following the earthquake.
In Ilocos Norte, athletes participating in the Palarong Pambansa were temporarily evacuated from their billeting areas in Vintar town.
Some teams, like those from MIMAROPA and CALABARZON, immediately performed the standard safety protocol of “duck, cover, and hold.”
“We quickly guided the athletes out of the buildings. Everyone followed the drill. Thankfully, there was no panic,” said one team coach who witnessed the situation unfold in Vintar.
PHIVOLCS recorded Intensity IV in Candon City and Vigan City; Intensity III in Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Intensity II in Bangued, Abra; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; San Fernando City, Aringay in La Union; and parts of Pangasinan including Bani, Infanta, and Bolinao. Baguio City recorded Intensity I.
Despite the wide area affected, no damage or casualties were reported, according to local disaster officials.
Authorities remind the public to stay alert and informed, especially in seismically active areas.
