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This is a repost from Yahoo! Philippines regarding the earthquake that hit Metro Manila and neighboring provinces around 6:30pm, March 21.
UPDATE: Magnitude 4.7 hit Bicol around 9:30pm.
An earthquake has hit several parts of Manila Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed.
In a televised interview, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the 6:27 p.m. earthquake registered a magnitude 5.8, its epicenter recorded in Lubang Island.
Solidum later clarified in a radio interview the earthquake registered a 5.7 magnitude.
The earthquake was also personally felt by the staff of Yahoo! Philippines.
Solidum said Intensity 4 was recorded in the following areas: Manila City; Marikina City; Talisay, Batangas; Tagaytay City.
Intensity III – Quezon City; Alabang; Makati; Taguig; Malabon; Bacoor, Cavite; Lubang Island; San Jose, Mindoro Occidental.; Abra de Ilog; Calapan, Mindoro Occidental.
Intensity II – Lucban, Quezon; Plaridel, Bulacan; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Baguio City
In a separate report by United States Geological Survey (USGS), it said the earthquake registered a 5.4 magnitude, its epicenter at least 88 kilometers southwest of Manila.
Solidum said there was no reason for Filipinos to panic, amid growing fears of a local quake disaster. On March 11, Japan listed an 8.9-magnitude quake which already left thousands killed and several thousand others missing.
“Siyempre ang paalala lang itong mga lindol na ito ay maliliit pa lamang, kung malalaki dapat paghandaan,” said Solidum.
Solidum said the recently felt quake wasn’t extraordinary as the Philippines records at least 20 earthquakes a day.
“Hindi pa ito masyadong malakas kasi magnitude 5.7-5.8. Ang dapat paghandaan malapit sa magnitude 7,” he added.
Solidum also allayed fears of a tsunami occurrence.
“Wala pong threat ng tsunami masyado ng malalim yung lindol,” said Solidum.
Written by Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia
