Seven towns in Pangasinan suspended classes and government work on Thursday as a precautionary measure following a mild Intensity 2 that was felt in parts of the province after a magnitude 4.4 earthquake jolted nearby La Union province.
Phivolcs has downgraded the earthquake from a magnitude of 4.8 to 4.4. The affected Pangasinan towns include Bayambang, Mapandan, Asingan, Pozorrubio, Mangaldan, Sto. Tomas and Rosales.
In a Facebook post, Bayambang Mayor Nina Jose-Quiambao stated that the suspension was implemented to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and government employees, as they assess the structural integrity of public buildings and facilities.
Essential services, however, continue to operate.
Quiambao clarified that emergency response teams, health workers, peace and order personnel, and other critical service providers would continue their duties to ensure uninterrupted public service.
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She added that the local government, through its concerned departments, is in close coordination with DOST-PHIVOLCS and other relevant agencies for monitoring and response efforts.
In Mangaldan, Mayor Bona Fe De Vera-Parayno echoed the same precaution, suspending government operations while maintaining the presence of disaster preparedness and emergency response personnel.
In Asingan, Mayor Engr. Carlos Lopez Jr. instructed all public and private schools at all levels to shift to modular, asynchronous, or distance learning for the remainder of the day.
Phivolcs said the earthquake’s epicenter was located 2 kilometers northeast of La Union’s Pugo town at a depth of 10 km.
Meanwhile, Dagupan City, which was heavily damaged during the 1990 Magnitude 7.7 Luzon earthquake, did not suspend classes or government work.
In a Facebook post written in Filipino, Mayor Belen Fernandez explained that the recent tremor was ‘very weak and barely felt’, adding:
‘This level of earthquake does not cause damage and does not require class suspension or building inspections.’
‘Our normal classes and work will continue. Our Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) remains on alert and is ready to act in case of a stronger tremor that could pose danger,’ she added.