ORMOC CITY, July 10 — Panic erupted at the city proper of Ormoc after a magnitude-5.4 earthquake jolted the city on Monday morning.
In an advisory, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the temblor is an aftershock from the magnitude-6.5 earthquake which hit Jaro, Leyte on Thursday, causing casualties and damages in the town and neighboring areas.
Workers and costumers in business establishments immediately rushed to safe grounds while students from the New Ormoc City National High School went to the designated evacuation area at the tennis court in front of Ormoc City Hall which is about 10 meters away from the city hall ground.
The magnitude-5.4 earthquake was also felt in Tacloban City and Mayorga, Leyte with Intensity 3.
Another earthquake was recorded at 9:49 a.m. in Ormoc City, magnitude 3.3 with Intensity III in Kananga town.
Around 9:54 a.m. another earthquake hit Ormoc City with magnitude 3.2.
No injuries were reported after the three earthquake. Ormoc City Administrator Vincent Emnas announced that class in Ormoc will push through for the day in all level.
“In the event of strong aftershocks students must be send home immediately,” Emnas announced at the city hall lobby.
The quake had temporarily stopped the meeting of national line government agencies with local officials of Ormoc.
Among those in the meeting were Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag, Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Allelli Bawagan and Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary and Philippine Institue of Volcanology and Seismology Director Rene Solidum. (Roel T. Amazona/PNA)
