MANILA, Philippines (2nd Update, 12:00 p.m.) — Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda has recommended declaring a state of calamity in the province following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Metro Manila and Central Luzon Monday.
At least 11 people were killed in the aftermath of the earthquake. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers dig through the rubble of a collapsed supermarket in Porac town.
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"Nagrekomenda na ako na mag-declare ng state of calamity. Kailangan nito 'yung support sa mga casualties (I recommended declaring a state of calamity. This is needed to support the casualties)," Pineda said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.
Pineda said the priority of rescuers is to look for survivors as they can still hear someone crying for help.
Porac town under state of calamity
The municipality of Porac, one of the worst-hit areas during the earthquake, has been placed under a state of calamity.
Porac Mayor Condralito dela Cruz said the local council agreed to declare a state of calamity in able to utilize the local government's calamity fund, according to a report from ABS-CBN News.
Houses of at least 40 families in the Guagua town were damaged, according to the Pampanga governor.
The governor noted that its the official report on damage and casualties are not yet final as the capitol is still receiving reports from towns.
President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the governors of the provinces affected by the quake to assess the damage in their respective localities.
The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at around 5:11 p.m. in Castillejos, Zambales.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported Intensity 5, described as "strong shaking and rocking felt throughout the building" in San Felipe, Zambales and Quezon City.
"Moderately strong" shaking Intensity 4 was recorded in Pasig City; Makati City; Caloocan City; Marikina City; Las Piñas City; San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Villasis, Pangasinan; Tagaytay City and Baguio City.
Damariñas, Indang and General Trias in Cavite as well as in Lucban, Quezon; Muntinlupa City, Cabanatuan City; Palayan City; Gapan City; and Santo Domingo and Talavera in Nueva Ecija experienced "weak" Intensity 3. — Patricia Lourdes Viray