The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lifted the tsunami alert for 19 provinces issued earlier Friday, hours after a deadly earthquake struck Japan.
In its latest statement, Phivolcs said the tsunami threat has passed. However, Phivolcs stated that the public is still advised to be vigilante and avoid going to the sea or sailing out on the sea. They further advised that boat operators should coordinate with port authorities to monitor unusual currents.
Earlier, Phivolcs recorded several tsunamis that measured less than a meter in several provinces from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The highest “unusual wave” was at a maximum of 70 cm.
In an interview aired live over radio, Solidum said they monitored the waves’ pattern and that it might not be the same as Japan’s.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum had said waves were recorded in the following areas: Santa Ana, Cagayan (60 cm-6:00pm) second wave: 60 cm at 6:20 pm; third wave 40cm-6:50; and 40-cm-7:30 pm); Virac, Catanduanes (First wave-40cm-6:30 pm; Second wave 60cm-7:10 pm; and Third wave-70 cm-7:50 pm); in Infanta, Quezon people have reported seeing waves measuring up to 30cm at around 7:10 pm while a less than a meter wave has also been recorded in Surigao.
In Baler, Aurora, NDRRMC said it recorded the 1st wave, 40 cm-6:30PM. ; second wave at 40 cm-7:10PM; third wave, 30 cm-8:00 pm.
“Doon po sa ating monitoring ang pinakamalakas ay 3rd, 4th, 5th waves pero hindi natin inaasahan kung pattern sa Japan ay mangyayari sa ating bansa. At most one meter and ineexpect nating mga waves,” said Solidum.
In another interview, National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council chief Benito Ramos said no tsunami has hit parts of the Philippines, conflicting Phivolcs’ reports.
Ramos said they remain hopeful the waves would lose strength as it travels from Japan’s epicenter.
“Ok yung pagdadasal natin sana ay matunaw na sa Pacific Ocean at hindi na makarating yung tsunami dito sa Pilipinas,” Benito earlier said.
As of this moment, nineteen provinces were placed under Tsunami alert Level 2, following the 8.8-magnitude quake that hit Northern Japan.
From Singapore, President Benigno “Pinoy” Aquino III issued a statement appealing for calm but also called on Filipinos to heed the warnings issued by government agencies.
“Paghandaan po natin ang anumang pinsala na maidudulot ng tsunami sa ating mga komuninad. Harinawa po ay maiwasan natin ang pinsala,” Pinoy told a press conference aired live by state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
“Hiling natin ang hinahon sa ating mga kababayan,” he further stated. He also sent his condolences to the earthquake-hit Japan.
NDRMMC had said the first tsunami waves were expected between 5:00PM to 7:00PM Friday. The agency also warned that the “waves may continue for hours.”
“People are advised to stay away from the shoreline during this period. People should not go to the coast to watch the tsunami. People whose houses are very near coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean are strongly advised to go farther inland,” it added.
In a bulletin issued, these provinces were placed under alert following the strong earthquake in Northern Japan.
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Davao Oriental
• Davao del Sur
• Batanes Group of Islands
• Cagayan
• Ilocos Norte
• Isabela
• Quezon
• Aurora
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Catanduanes
• Sorsogon
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
Here Is a List of Important Numbers to Call in case of emergency.
• Department of Foreign Affairs (this is an established hotline for Japan-related concerns)
(+632) 834-4646
(+632) 834-4580
Or send e-mail to: dfaoumwa.cmc@gmail.com
• Philippine Embassy Tokyo
(+813) 5562-1570
(+813) 5562-1577
(+813) 5562-1590
Embassy can also be reached at: emergency@philembassy.net
• OWWA Hotlines
(+632) 833-6992
(+632) 551-6641
(+632) 551-1560
• Philippine Red Cross
(+632) 527-0000
(+632) 143
• Philippine Coast Guard
(+632) 527-3877
(+63) 0917-7243682
• PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration)
(+63 2) 927-2877
• NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council)
(+63 2) 911-1406
(+63 2) 912-2665
(+63 2) 912-5668
• POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration)
(+63 2) 722-1155
• ABS-CBN Foundation Tsunami Hotlines
(+63 2) 411-0011
(+63 2) 411-0012
