The country’s seismological burea, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised Tsunami Alerts in 20 provinces across the country following a magnitude 7.9 earthquake near the coast of Chile.
According to PHIVOLCS official statement “An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines in the region near the epicenter within minutes to hours,” PHIVOLCS said in a statement.
Although PHiVOLCS already issued a Tsunami Alert Warning in the Philippines, the agency also noted that no evacuation is in effect in the said 20 areas across the country.
The coastal communities of the following areas are advised to wait for updates:
Batanes Group of Islands
Cagayan
Ilocos Norte
Isabela
Quezon
Aurora
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Albay
Catanduanes
Sorsogon
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Davao Oriental
Davao del Sur
Davao Occidental
The PHIVOLCS clarified that no evacuation is in effect.