Magnitude 4.5 quake sends residents rushing out of buildings in Baguio and nearby areas

BAGUIO CITY — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake jolted Baguio City and nearby provinces on Thursday afternoon, July 9, briefly sending residents, office workers, students, and shoppers rushing out of buildings as the sudden tremor sparked concern across the region.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the tectonic earthquake struck at 2:33 p.m. Its epicenter was located about 9 kilometers south-southwest of Tuba, Benguet, at a depth of 10 kilometers, making the shaking more noticeable in nearby communities.

PHIVOLCS recorded Intensity V in Baguio City, Intensity IV in Aringay, La Union, Intensity III in Sison, Pangasinan, Intensity II in Urdaneta and Lingayen, Pangasinan, and Intensity I in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.

The tremor was widely felt in homes, offices, schools, malls, and business establishments throughout Baguio City, Benguet, La Union, and parts of Pangasinan. Social media posts and reports from residents described moderate but noticeable shaking, with many saying they immediately left buildings, paused work and classes, or checked on their families and workplaces after the ground stopped moving. Others shared that the quake was strong enough to sway buildings and startle people, although it lasted only a short time.

As of Thursday afternoon, authorities reported no significant damage or casualties. Local government units and emergency response teams continued monitoring the situation while conducting initial assessments in affected areas.

PHIVOLCS reminded the public that aftershocks may occur following a tectonic earthquake and advised residents to remain vigilant, inspect their surroundings for possible hazards, and follow instructions from local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

Authorities also urged the public to rely only on verified information from official government agencies and to refrain from spreading unverified reports as monitoring continues.

The incident served as another reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness in Northern Luzon, one of the country's seismically active regions. Regular earthquake drills and familiarity with safety measures such as "Duck, Cover, and Hold" can help minimize injuries and save lives when strong ground shaking occurs.