April 23, 2019

Luzon Quake Aftermath: Gov’t Work and Flights Suspended Today

Following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Luzon yesterday afternoon, April 22, Malacañang suspends government work in the National Capital Region (NCR) earlier today, April 23.

In a situational report by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the magnitude 6.1 tectonic earthquake occurred in Castillejos, Zambales at exactly 5:11 pm yesterday, affecting some parts in Luzon particularly Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, Manila, and Las Piñas.

Also read: How to Prepare for Earthquake: Things to do Before, During and After

Shoppers rush outside the Robinsons Place Manila following an earthquake. #EarthquakePH | Photos by Inoue Jaena/Rappler pic.twitter.com/WVBLJDF2Gh

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) April 22, 2019

According to the announcement released this morning, the NDRRMC recommended the suspension to lessen a load of public transport in the affected regions.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo added that President Rodrigo Duterte also ordered all governors of affected provinces to do a damage assessment in their respective provinces following the earthquake.

DFA Consular Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs also informed the public that the DFA Consular Offices in Metro Manila are closed today in compliance with the Malacanang announcement this morning:

DFA Aseana
DFA CO South (Alabang Town Center)
DFA CO West (SM Manila)
DFA CO Central (Robinsons Galleria)
DFA CO East (SM Megamall)
DFA CO Northeast (Ali Mall)
DFA CO North (Robinsons Novaliches)

For applicants with confirmed appointments today at the said offices, they may go from April 24 to May 10, 2019, instead. They are advised to bring their confirmed appointment packets and e-receipts. However, Courtesy Lane services may be limited on these dates to accommodate those with appointments.

DFA Passport and authentication services will resume tomorrow, April 24.

MRT, LRT operations

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) resumes its operations today by 5:30 am after it was suspended yesterday shortly after the earthquake hit.

After a completed series of structural and track inspections on the railway systems, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the railway systems were found fit for operations today.

Canceled flights

Due to the damage Clark International Airport sustained from yesterday’s earthquake, several domestic and international flights scheduled today, April 23, were canceled.

Among these canceled flights are from Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines:

Cebu Pacific:

5J 607 Clark-Cebu
5J 606 Cebu-Clark
5J 150 Clark-Hong Kong
5J 149 Hong Kong-Clark
5J 613 Clark-Bohol (Tagbilaran)
5J 614 Bohol (Tagbilaran)-Clark
5J 913 Clark-Caticlan (Boracay)
5J 914 Caticlan (Boracay)-Clark
5J 537 Clark-Singapore
5J 538 Singapore-Clark (diverted to NAIA Terminal 3)
5J 985 Clark-Davao
5J 986 Davao-Clark

Philippine Airlines (PAL):

PR835/836 Clark – Cebu – Clark
PR831/832 Clark – Davao – Clark
PR1833/1834 Cebu – Clark -Cebu
PR492/493 Clark – Incheon – Clark (diverted to NAIA Terminal 2)
PR2351/2352 Clark – Cagayan de Oro – Clark
PR2871/2872 Clark – Tagbilaran – Clark
PR2331/2332 Clark – Bacolod – Clark
P2340/2342 Clark – Puerto Princesa – Clark
PR2376/2377 Clark – Caticlan – Clark
PR2696/2697 Clark – Basco – Clark
PR2698/2699 Clark – Busuanga – Clark
PR2877/2878 Clark – Siargao – Clark
PR2675/2676 Clark – Catarman – Clark
PR2875/2876 Clark – Siargao – Clark
PR2205/2206 Clark – Antique – Clark
PR2678/2679 Clark – Busuanga – Clark
PR2671/2672 Clark – Calbayog – Clark
PR2323/2324 Clark – Cagayan de Oro – Clark
PR2612/2613 Clark -Cauayan -Clark
PR2662/2663 Clark – San Vicente – Clark
PR2691/2692 Clark – Busuanga – Clark
PR2684/2685 Clark – Busuanga – Clark
PR2688/2689 Clark – Basco – Clark
PR2687/2686 Clark – Busuanga – Clark
PR6062 Kalibo – Clark
PR 2061 Clark – Kalibo

For latest updates on flight advisories today, you may visit their websites at Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific or Facebook pages at Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air.

Sources: PNA, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific