7.0-magnitude Abra earthquake on July 27

The Philippine National Police says it will assist the Department of Trade and Industryin the implementation of Price Freeze in Abra province for basic commodities pursuant to the Republic Act 7581 or the Philippine Price Act.

“The PNP is tasked to aid in the enforcement of the mandate within the jurisdiction of the LGU concerned. We also take part in monitoring market activities against hoarding, profiteering, price manipulation and unfair trade practices,” says PNP Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. in a statement.

Death toll due to the 7.0-magnitude quake that rocked northern Luzon has risen to five, with 116 reported as missing, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coucil shows. Authorities are still validating one more reported dead and four more as missing.

Abra province has declared a state of calamity over destruction caused by the magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked Northern Luzon on Wednesday, July 27.

A declaration of a state of calamity gives the local government access to disaster relief funds and implements a freeze on the prices of basic goods.

Japan says they are prepared to work with the Philippines in providing support to communities affected by the 7-0-magnitude earthquake.

"We stand in solidarity with the Filipino nation in facing these challenging times. Kasama nyo kami!," the ambassador of Japan in the Philippines says on Twitter.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople says the department  is allocating a P20-million support and assistance fund for families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Luzon.

“This is just an initial allotment to help OFW families affected by the earthquake. I have directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to immediately provide help and find out what other forms of assistance the DMW can provide,” Ople says.

“We will wait for the damage assessment report made by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to determine which regions and areas are most affected so we can prioritize OFW families there,” Ople adds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrives in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur to check the situation and inspect the damages in areas affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "took off for Abra to check the situation, inspect the damage and be briefed on the rescue and relief efforts there" at around 8:00 a.m.

Globe Telecom is closely monitoring the aftermath of the powerful quake that struck North Luzon and other parts of the island group early Wednesday morning, sending connectivity support to the worst-hit areas.

Globe swiftly moved to deploy a Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFi station at the Bangued Plaza in Abra, adjacent to Lagangilang town, epicenter of the 7.0-magnitude temblor that damaged buildings, heritage sites and other structures across the province.

Affected residents may place free calls to loved ones and charge their mobile phones at Globe’s free call, charging and connectivity station, which was established in collaboration with the local government of Bangued. This service will remain available for at least three days. 

The number of dead due to the northern Luzon earthquake has risen to four, Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. says in a briefing at the Palace.

Rep. Eric Go Yap (Benguet) promises quick assistance to constituents affected by the Magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked the northern Philippines on Wednesday.

"Sa mga nangangailangan ng mga relief goods,inaayos na po ng Congresional District ng Benguet ang mga pangangailangan at hinahanap na po namin yung mga naapektuhan na pamilya, mga bahay, na barangay at kame po ay magpapadala ng relief goods," Yap says.

He says he will also give assistance to the family of a construction workers who was killed in the quake.  — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The STAR reports that as of 11:46 a.m., Transport Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said all four rail lines have resumed operations.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orders “immediate mobilization of rescue and relief teams” after the strong quake that rocked parts of Northern Philippines.

Press Secretary Trixie Angeles-Curz says Marcos is coordination with the NDRRMC and the DSWD for the dispatch of rescue and relief teams to Abra.

“He will immediately fly to the area as soon as the all clear is given,” she adds.

The NDRRMC says that it received report of one person who died in La Trinidad, Benguet due to the 7.0-magnitude quake that rocked northern Philippines.

Other impacts noted at the Cordilllera Administrative region are landslide incidents reported in Benguet; damage reported in Lagangalingan, Abra and Mountain Province; with signal and power interruption (smart cellsites in Benguet).

Sen. Imee Marcos reports that the belltowers in Bantay, Laoag and Sarrat were damaged. She adds that some heritage houses collapsed along with other structures in Kennon, Paraiso, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Apayao. — Xave Gregorio

Operations of MRT-3 have resumed at 10:12 a.m., both bounds, with 17 trains running.

Meanwhile, train operations of the purple line remain suspended as of 10:25 a.m.

"We will advise on the resumption of operations once all clearing activities and safety checks and assessments are completed. Please bear with us," LRT-2 says in a statement.

Citing a report from Cordillera Police Director Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, the NDRRMC reports that a landslide occured along Governor Bado Dangwa National road particularly at Boroan, Longilong, Datakan, Kapangan, Benguet.

"The road is not passable and motorist going to Paykek, Kapangan and Kibungan are advised to take the Labueg-Datakan, barangay road," it adds.

Civil Defense Cordillera reports that personnel and patients of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center were evacuated this morning after the strong earthquake.

Rep. Ching Bernos (Abra) says the quake "caused damages to many households and establishments."

"We are monitoring the situation on the ground and gathering information on the extent of the damage to the Province. My office is also actively coordinating with proper authorities on what can be done to assist families and communities that were severely affected by this earthquake,  she adds. 

Rep. Ching Bernos of the lone district of Abra reports that the quake "caused damages to many households and establishments" in the province. Lagangilang, Abra is the epicenter of the magnitude-7.3 tremor, according to Phivolcs ????: Office of Rep. Ching Bernos @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/LumbQ9pDHm

— Xave Gregorio (@XaveGregorio) July 27, 2022

The Philippine National Railways says its "trips for Metro North and Metro South Commuter Service will be temporarily suspended until the tracks are certified available by our Engineering Department," following the earthquake.

The management of LRT-2 and MRT-3 say they are halting operations following the strong quake.

"Assessment of all facilities and systems are on-going," the MRT-3 management says in a tweet.

Pansamantalang itinigil ang operasyon ng LRT -2 dahil sa naranasang lindol. Kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng safefy check ang Safety at Engineering team sa mga istasyon.

— LRT2 (@OfficialLRTA) July 27, 2022

MRT-3 ADVISORY

At 8:44 a.m. today, earthquake was felt along the MRT-3 mainline. All trains were advised to stop. Assessment of all facilities and systems are on-going.

Please be safe.#DOTrPH ????????#DOTrMRT3#SulongMRT3 pic.twitter.com/G9n1TFyt4D

— DOTr MRT-3 (@dotrmrt3) July 27, 2022

United States Geological Survey says a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hits northern Philippines at 8:43 a.m. on Wednesday.

But the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reports the earthquake to be at 7.3 magnitude, located at 17.63°N, 120.74°E - 002 km N 20° E of Lagangilang (Abra).

Get latest updates on the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that rocked northern Philippines on July 27, Monday.

Photo: Phivolcs/released