(UPDATED) Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda has confirmed the death of five individuals – 3 in Porac town and 2 from Lubao – following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that jolted North Luzon Monday afternoon.
In a radio interview, Pineda said the three casualties were trapped inside Chuzon, a grocery store in Porac town, when the earthquake happened at 5:11PM. Authorities have yet to identify the two casualties.
The two casualties were from Sta. Cruz town in Porac, according to Pineda. They were reportedly pinned by a concrete wall.
She said 20 were already rescued as of press time, while 35 are missing. Pineda appealed to DPWH for assistance in sending cranes to be utilized in their rescue operation.
The earthquake was also felt in nearby cities and provinces including Metro Manila and Pampanga.
In Pampanga, the earthquake has damaged the boundary arc between Pampanga and Bataan and the crucifix atop the Saint Augustine Church in Lubao town.
Pineda said some parts of the FVR Megadike has also cracked while some glasses were shattered at the Jose B. Lingad Regional Hospital in the City of San Fernando.
Pampanga Vice Governor Dennis Pineda has dispatched a rescue team and equipment to Porac town to save several workers trapped inside Chuzon, a grocery that collapsed following a strong earthquake.
The earthquake also caused power outages in Pangasinan, Pampanga, La Union, and Bataan. The provinces of Quezon, Batangas, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon were also affected but have been restored, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
According to NGCP, they are monitoring, 24/7, the status of transmission facilities in Luzon, following the earthquake.
As of 6PM, NGCP is still assessing the extent of the damage. Aerial and foot patrol will commence as soon as the situation is safe.
Meanwhile, the Clark Development Corporation has issued an advisory to their locators and residents to check on the integrity of their buildings and other structures. CDC’s technical teams are currently conducting inspections of vital clark infrastructure and utilities.
“Our engineering, security and paramedic teams are on hand to provide assistance as necessary,” CDC said in its advisory.
Meanwhile, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has suspended all classes in both public and private schools in Angeles City until the city government and the City Engineer’s Office has inspected all school buildings.
In Bataan, a big fire at the Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay town was reported by PIA Bataan. Various firetrucks from Bureau of Fire Protection from different municipalities and Petron were already at the fire site.
As of 6PM, NGCP is still assessing the extent of the damage. Aerial and foot patrol will commence as soon as the situation is safe.
“Updates will be issued as soon as available,” Francisco said. –With reports from Mhike Cigaral & Marna Del Rosario