The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck Northern Luzon on Monday, December 30, has caused damage to modern mall, historic church, and various buildings across Ilocos Norte, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Field teams identified damaged bricks and walls at Sentinel Hill in Bangui, and fallen bricks at the southern altar of the historic Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat town, and structural issues at Robinsons Mall and a motor shop in San Nicolas town.
PDRRMO chief Marcel Tabije said that field teams were dispatched to assess the structural integrity of other buildings in the area. Despite some damages, they declared major structures in the province safe.
Parish priest Father Ericson Josue announced that Sta. Monica Church celebrations may relocate temporarily, following recommendations from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, to prioritize safety.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that aftershocks could cause additional damage. Since the earthquake struck at 10:56 am, at least four aftershocks, ranging from magnitudes 1.6 to 3.1, have shaken the towns of Adams, Dumalneg, and Bangui.
In Ilocos Sur, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Sta. Catalina initiated immediate coastal monitoring.
Phivolcs cautioned residents about tsunami risks, highlighting that a potential magnitude 8.4 earthquake could generate waves up to 14.7 meters high.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to assess additional structural damages and enforce safety measures.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.