BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Dec.14 (PIA) — A 5.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Novo Vizcayanos Monday morning, sending government employees, students, and other sectors scampering for safety.
The earthquake which occurred at 8:55 a.m. shattered facilities of the National Grid Coporation of the Philippines(NGCP), causing a power outage in the entire province for more than 21 hours.
It was only at 6:33 a.m. that power was restored in all municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya.
Officials of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology(PHIVOLCS) said the earthquake in the province was caused by a tectonic ground movement which was strongly felt in barangay Vista Hills in Bayombong town and 21 kilometers southwest from the epicenter.
A 4.4 magnitude tremor was also felt at 10:35 a.m., noted PHIVOLCS, and followed by a series of aftershocks at a lower magnitude until 9:00 p.m. Monday.
Several schools also suspended their classes after the first occurrence of the earthquake while other government employees went to their homes temporarily.
Evaliza Agamata, provincial disaster risk reduction management council (PDRRMC)action officer said that there were no reported injuries during the earthquakes.
She also appealed to the public not to heed a hoax or unconfirmed text message circulating in the province that a volcano along the national highway in Bagabag town is about to burst in the evening, followed by a series of earthquakes.
“The text message is only meant to create panic among us. There is no active volcano in Nueva Vizcaya. I think it was just the work of those who wanted to cause panic or merely thieves waiting to take the opportunity while we are outside our homes,” Agamata said in a public statement. (PIA NVizcaya)
