Supreme Court also suspends work in Metro Manila, Central Luzon courts pending damage inspection in quake aftermath
(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all governors of affected provinces to assess damage in their areas and to implement public safety measures following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the main Philippine island of Luzon on Monday, April 22.
As this developed, the Supreme Court also suspended work in all courts in Metro Manila and Central Luzon Tuesday, April 23, to assess damage in the various court houses that may have been affected by the strong quake.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended that immediate inspection and assessment of damage of structures in the areas hit by the quake.
“The President has directed the Governors of the affected provinces to assess the damage sustained by their respective localities and take the necessary measures to ensure public safety,” Panelo said.
The Palace also suspended work in government offices in Metro Manila “in order to ease up the load of the public transport system.”
The Supreme Court also directed the “inspection of the safety and structural integrity of court houses” in Metro Manila and Central Luzon and has suspended work for today, Tuesday, April 23.
“Due to the effects of the earthquake yesterday and pending inspection of the safety and structural integrity of court houses, work in all courts in Metro Manila & Central Luzon is suspended today, 23 April 2019,” the SC statement said.
“For courts in other affected areas, the Executive Judge may exercise discretion,” it added.
The 6.1 magnitude quake hit Central Luzon, with the province of Pampanga suffering the most damage and casualties as of Tuesday.
Five people were killed in two incidents of building collapsing at the height of the quake. Three were killed when a four storey building that housed a supermarket in Porac town collapsed on Monday, with more people reported trapped inside. Resuce operations continued into the night as more survivors were recovered.
-Fourth fatality in Porac recovered-
As of posting time, a fourth fatality was reportedly pulled out of the rubble.
In Lubao town, two were also killed because of the quake.
The Porac town mayor Condralito dela Cruz has already declared a state of calamity in the municipality following reports of extensive damage and more casualties in other barangays.
