In the wake of a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Bangui, Ilocos Norte on Monday, December 30, 2024, several buildings in the region experienced minor damage. The Bureau of Fire Protection took immediate action by securing the Bacarra bell tower with caution tape to ensure public safety. According to Marcel Tabije from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the quake led to damaged bricks and walls at Sentinel Hill in Bangui, and fallen bricks at the southern altar of Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat. Additionally, a ceiling at Robinsons Mall and a motor shop in San Nicolas were also affected. Ongoing assessments are being conducted to evaluate the structural integrity of other buildings in the area, though major structures have been deemed safe so far. Father Ericson Josue of Sta. Monica Church announced that church celebrations might be relocated following an inspection by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported four aftershocks ranging from 1.6 to 3.1 magnitudes in the towns of Adams, Dumalneg, and Bangui. In nearby Ilocos Sur, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Sta. Catalina initiated coastal monitoring due to tsunami warnings issued by Phivolcs, which cautioned that a potential 8.4 magnitude earthquake could generate waves up to 14.7 meters high.
