MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 1:30 p.m.) — Gov. Hermilando Mandanas on Wednesday morning placed Batangas province under a state of calamity following a magnitude-5.5 earthquake Tuesday evening.
The Batangas provincial government already sent 200 sacks of cement to assist in the repair of some damaged infrastructures.
Mandanas also allocated P1 million for the repair of the Taal Basilica, which was named a national shrine and national historical landmark.
The governor added that support would also be provided to villages that sustained damage due to the earthquake.
Debris fell off from Taal Church after a magnitude 5.4 quake had jolted Batangas. #EarthquakePH (photos from Taal Mayor Pong Mercado) pic.twitter.com/lk8Y0llofo
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) April 4, 2017
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the earthquake hit at 8:58 p.m. on Tuesday.
The exact location of the quake, which was tectonic in origin, was at 13.71°N, 120.83°E - 007 km N 37° West of Tingloy, Batangas.
The jolt was also felt at Intensity VI in Batangas City; Intensity V in Malvar and Calatagan, Batangas. Intensity IV was felt in Makati City, Obando in Bulacan, Silang, Noveleta, Imus and Indang in Cavite, Calamba in Laguna, Sta. Ana in Manila, Valenzuela City, Tagaytay City and Cuenca in Batangas.
The latest aftershock was recorded at 9:07 a.m. on Wednesday, located 13.65°N, 121.73°E - 025 km N 28° W of Boac, Marinduque.
Phivolcs said that no more aftershocks are expected after the magnitude-2 earthquake Wednesday morning.
Classes have been suspended in Batangas and Laguna after the earthquake Tuesday night. Mandanas said the suspension was to allow the province's engineering staff and the Public Works department to conduct a damage assessment.