TAAL, Batangas: The province of Batangas was rocked by aftershocks following the magnitude 5.5 earthquake that struck Tuesday night.

Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), on Wednesday warned of even more tremors, after the agency recorded 52 aftershocks at 12 noon.

At 8:58 p.m. on Tuesday, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Tingloy town in Batangas and was felt in the Calabarzon region, Mindoro, and some areas in Metro Manila. There were no casualties and serious damage, however.

Phivolcs said Intensity 6 was recorded in Batangas City; Intensity 5 in Malvar and Calatagan, Batangas; Intensity 4 in Makati City; Santa Ana in Manila; Valenzuela City; Obando, Bulacan; Tagaytay, Silang, Noveleta, Imus and Indang in Cavite; Calamba in Laguna; and Cuenca in Batangas.

Taal residents evacuate to safety. PHOTOS FROM TAAL MAYOR PONG MERCADO

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The Taal Basilica, or the Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, was consecrated by Augustinian missionaries in 1865 and is located at Barangay Poblacion.

At the Taal town hall, a chandelier of the municipal council’s session hall fell and shattered to pieces.

Mercado said Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas pledged P1 million as initial assistance for the basilica’s repair and retrofitting. Concerned individuals in Taal have also pledged support.

Jenny Aguilera, public information officer of the provincial government, said Mandanas had yet to declare a state of calamity.

She said the governor was awaiting reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office before seeking the nod of the provincial board to declare a state of calamity.

BELLY OTORDOZ