Strong Earthquake Hits Batanes
Summary from The Inquirer Newspaper report of Juliet Cataluña

The Batanes islands was rattled by an earthquake of 6.9 on Sunday, 16 July 2000 at around 11:30 am. Raymundo Punong Bayan, Philvocs director, said the quake was a tectonic origin. He said the tremble was probably caused by the movement of a fault line.

Itbud, Batanes Photo: Boyboy Castro

Minor landslides were reported in the volcano's (Mt. Iraya) slopes after the quake, whose epicenter was traced at 33 kilometers southeast of Basco. The volcano's watershed is Basco's principal source of water. Townsfolk are afraid that water supply will not be restored before Christmastime. Miaga water is not enough to supply the entire town of Basco. Meantime, some people are buying water from Mahatao at P50.00 per one drum. The upper portion of the facade of the Sto. Domingo Church fell while churches in other towns have minimal damage. Most of the damaged houses are old and made of lime and stone.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, who is also a chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, said the quake damaged at least P50 million worth of property in the island-province.

At least six people suffered bruises and cuts due to falling rocks and debris. Mostly came from the southern part of the Batan Island. They were taken to the Batanes General Hospital for treatment. All the victims were given P5000.00 each from Mr. Mercado.

Mahatao town was reported to have a damaged of P2 million for property, infrastructure and agriculture.

Basco town suffered P4 million in losses. Report said 5 percent of houses in the town were declared unfit for occupancy, while 45 percent of the houses were damaged. The town's water system was 50 percent damaged.

In Uyugan town, 29 houses were damaged, with losses placed at P5.1 million. The town also suffered P8 million in damaged roads, bridges and water system. Ivana, 30 percent of town's stone houses were damaged. The town suffered P2 million in losses.

Report said that a week before Sunday's earthquake, the Ivatan were roused from sleep by an intensity 6 earthquake.