‘Stay alert’, IN residents told

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Following a series of earthquakes that shook Ilocos Norte, residents here are advised to stay on alert with possible aftershocks that may happen anytime.

A regular bulletin issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) showed that at least 14 earthquakes shook Ilocos Norte since early January this year, with a 5.7 magnitude temblor registered as the strongest.

The said earthquake occurred on Feb. 17 with its epicentre traced at 31 km. off Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The earthquake caused hairline cracks on several school buildings, houses and roads. No major damage or injury was reported.

On Feb. 18 at about 4:20 pm, all Provincial Capitol employees were advised to move out of their respective departments to participate in an earthquake and a fire drill led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in cooperation with the Laoag City and Ilocos Norte Fire Departments.

As the Capitol’s emergency siren was switched on, all employees rushed out the Capitol building, some holding each other while others put their hands on their head for protection from falling objects. They were also told to move out quietly and no panic.

“In times like this, it’s very important to be organized,” said Laoag City acting fire marshal Bonifacio Sacatrapos who facilitated the simulation together with other Bureau of Fire Protection officials.

“We should do it regularly because practice makes perfect,” Sacatrapos said as he observed some participants were not taking the simulation activity seriously.

He underscored that a fire may happen after an earthquake so it is very important to have trained first responders who will immediately apply first aid to those who are injured while waiting for rescue.

Also, he underscored the importance of properly accounting the number of people inside a building for example so that rescuers may easily find them in case they were trapped inside.

Prior to the orientation of participants and simulation activity, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos immediately called on all department heads at the Capitol including local government units here to take precautionary measures and always stay on alert with expected aftershocks after the magnitude 5.7 quake followed by a mild 3.5 magnitude quake on February 18 at 8:35 evening, its epicenter 91 kilometers northwest of Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

Latest update from Phivolcs said the tremor was tectonic in origin.

In Burgos, Mayor Cresente Garcia has ordered the immediate evacuation of all employees, students and teachers to a safer ground should there be aftershocks.

Fortunately, the UNESCO world heritage sites of Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos town and the newly-rehabilitated St. Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte have no reported earthquake-related damages so far.