Batangas evaluates LGUs' response after 6.3-magnitude quake

CALATAGAN, Batangas – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Batangas said it is assessing various local government units’ (LGUs) readiness and ability to respond to the effects of the earthquake that struck the province at 10:19 a.m. on Thursday.

In a phone interview soon after the earthquake, Amor Banuelos-Calayan, head of the PDRRMO, said her office wants to know if the LGUs could immediately come to the aid of those most affected.

“(The quake) with tectonic origin was felt here in Calatagan and different intensity levels in every town in Batangas. We are visiting each LGU and are currently on our way to Calatagan to personally see the situation there,” she said.

Meanwhile, the local governments of San Jose and Cuenca immediately suspended classes and advised the public to expect possible aftershocks.

Michael Abanador, assistant head for operation and warning division of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) office in Cuenca, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that there were no reported casualties in the town as of press time but the search for possible victims continues.

“We immediately canceled the class. We are currently inspecting the buildings throughout the town, especially the schools,” Abanador said.

The PDRRMO noted that when the ground started shaking, various schools across Calabarzon executed evacuation procedures learned during earthquake drills, including the Philippine State College of Aeronautics Fernando Air Base Campus in Lipa City, the Laiya Integrated National High School in San Juan, and Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas City. (PNA)