5.2 magnitude tremor jolts North Luzon provinces

LAOAG CITY, March 12 — A moderately strong earthquake with a strength of 5.2 magnitude in the ritcher scale rocked the provinces in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions on Saturday noon time here, a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Local Phivolcs Researcher Porferio De Peralta said the 5.2 magnitude quake occurred at exactly 12:00 noon Saturday with epicenter located at 40 kilometers northwest of Laoag City with a depth of 10 kilometers.

Initially, he said that intensity 5 was felt in Laoag City, Sarrat, Paoay and Pasuquin; all in Ilocos Norte; and Burgos, Ilocos Sur; intensity 4 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; and intensity 3 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur; and Pamplona, Cagayan. It was reported that the quake was lasted for a more than one minute.

“The tremor was tectonic in origin and it may caus aftershock,” De Peralta said.

PTT Lubes distributor AD - 10in x 8in - FA-03He said his staff are closely monitoring the affected provinces to know any damages caused by the earthquake. (Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA- Ilocos Norte)