In text messages, NDRRMC tells public to be prepared for aftershocks

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday sent text messages urging the public to be prepared for more aftershocks following the four quakes that hit Luzon Saturday afternoon.

"Ang aftershocks ay maaaring magdulot ng pagguho ng lupa at imprastraktura. Maging handa at siguraduhing ligtas ang sarili at ang pamilya," it said in a text message.

The NDRRMC earlier announced that at least 5,000 people have been displaced after four earthquakes, including one with a magnitude of 6.0, struck Luzon on Saturday afternoon. The two strong quakes were felt strongest in Mabini town at Intensity 7.

Erlinton Olvere, research specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), earlier said that the four tremors that struck on Saturday were aftershocks of the magnitude-5.5 earthquake last Tuesday night.

Olevere said that a total of 129 confirmed aftershocks have been recorded since last Tuesday night.

In a Balitanghali interview, PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum said that the series of earthquakes in Batangas is an "earthquake swarm."

"Ang mga lindol na naramdaman ay parte ng tinatawag naming serye ng lindol, ang tawag po diyan ay earthquake swarm, sa kadahilanang doon po sa lugar na 'yon ay paunti-unting kumikilos ang fault at nagti-trigger ito ng maraming paglindol, karamihan po diyan ay hindi nararamdaman," Solidum said.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa Batangas area, normal po na magkaroon ng lindol na sunud-sunod kung ang fault ay kumikilos nang dahan-dahan. Mas maigi naman po 'yan kaysa na biglaang pagkilos. Mas matinding lindol 'yung mangyari [kung ganu'n], mas maraming pinsala," he added.

He urged residents of quake-hit areas in Batangas and nearby provinces to review their earthquake preparedness in their own homes. —ALG, GMA News