A Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) official sought to assuage public fears over the apparently increasing frequency of earthquakes, saying sophisticated equipment only allows for better recording of these seismic events.
The country experiences quakes every day, with at least 30 quakes recorded daily, said Dr. Winchelle Ian Sevilla, Phivolcs' Science Research Specialist of the Seismological Observation and Earthquake Prediction Division chief.
It only appears there have been more quakes recently because Phivolcs has acquired more modernized instruments and is now more capable of detecting seismic activity.
"It's true that recently we have been detecting and recording more earthquakes. But this is more on because we have more seismic stations," Sevilla said.
The Phivolcs website shows that the agency has over 100 seismic stations.
A magnitude 6 tremor struck off the coast of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, on October 11 at 10:32 p.m.
First recorded at magnitude 6.2, the epicenter of the tremor was located 28 kilometers northeast of Cagwait.
Also on Saturday at 5:32 p.m., a magnitude 5.1 quake jolted Zambales.
Last October 10, Davao Oriental was hit by a "doublet" earthquake, the first with a magnitude of 7.4 and the next with a magnitude of 6.8.
Phivolcs said a doublet refers to two closely timed quakes happening nearby.
On September 30, Cebu was rocked by a magnitude 6.9 quake.
Phivolcs reminded the public to download its "How Safe is My House?" application for a self-assessment for one- to two-storey concrete hollow block houses and buildings, launched in 2021.