7.0 M quake strikes north province Abra, felt in entire Luzon island
July 27, 2022 Philippines – An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hits the province of Abra, about 433 km north of Manila, at 8:43 AM today, based on official alert of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The strong earthquake also made its impact felt on the rest of main island Luzon including Metro Manila and the southern areas of Bicol region.
“The earthquake lasted for about 3 minutes,” shares Roberto Dazo, World Vision’s Field Operations Manager for Luzon, situated in Pangasinan, more than 200 km south of Abra, when the quake struck.
“I just arrived in our training venue when I felt the surrounding is moving. I felt like being swayed in a hammock,” says Douglas Chua, World Vision program manager, while in a World Vision-led training participated by staff and community partners in Pangasinan. “We asked the participants to get out from the building and stay in a safe area,” Chua adds. “It was so strong, I could see waves on the pool and trees shaking violently. Dizzying at some point. We just prayed while it was happening.“
The earthquake’s jolt also reached as far as Bicol, more than 400 km south of Manila. “We felt a mild tremor here in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte,” texted Marecil Francia, World Vision program manager based in Camarines province.
“As of writing, all World Vision staff are accounted for and safe,” assures World Vision National Director Rommel V. Fuerte. “Let’s continue to pray that this is not as devastating as the earthquake’s reported magnitude,” Fuerte appeals.
Authorities advise the public to stay alert and in safe areas, as damages and aftershocks are likely expected. In Abra, the epicenter location, aftershocks continue to threaten the area while communication and power lines have been shut off. The full extent of quake’s impact has yet to be accounted, as accessibility to affected areas remain limited.
World Vision is poised to dispatch members of its National Rapid Response Team to assess damages and needs of vulnerable children and families in quake-hit areas of north Luzon. “We are coordinating with the national and local government to look into the situation and humanitarian needs of possibly affected areas,” says World Vision’s humanitarian and emergency affairs director Ligaya Munez. “We are prepositioned to respond and assist at least 10,000 families, as necessary, especially for the special needs of children and vulnerable ones affected by any disaster.”
World Vision currently assists 22,000 children through child-focused development programs in the Luzon provinces including Pangasinan, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, and the cities of Quezon, Manila and Malabon.
