Residents across several provinces in the Bicol Region and nearby island provinces were jolted awake on the morning of Monday, July 13, 2026, after a magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred off the coast of Claveria in Masbate. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) recorded the tremor and promptly issued an advisory covering the affected areas.
Details of the Earthquake
According to PHIVOLCS-DOST, the earthquake struck at precisely 8:54:02 AM Philippine Standard Time and was centered approximately 27 kilometers south-southwest of Claveria, Masbate, at geographic coordinates 12.77°N, 123.04°E. The event was classified as a shallow earthquake, with a focal depth of only 8 kilometers beneath the surface. PHIVOLCS identified the origin of the quake as tectonic in nature.
The bulletin covering this event was designated as Earthquake Information No. 3 by PHIVOLCS-DOST and was officially released at 1:04 PM PHT on the same day. The agency noted that this bulletin would serve as the sole release for the event unless significant new information warrants a follow-up.
Intensity Levels Across Affected Areas
The most powerful shaking was experienced in Claveria itself, where PHIVOLCS-DOST recorded Intensity V on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale. At this level, shaking is felt by virtually all people; those who are asleep are likely to be awakened, some individuals may rush outdoors, small objects can be displaced, and liquids in open containers may slosh or spill over.
A wide swath of communities in Masbate and neighboring provinces experienced Intensity III — a level at which most people indoors feel the shaking and hanging objects sway noticeably. These areas included Aroroy, Baleno, and the City of Masbate in Masbate province; Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, and San Fernando in Romblon; the City of Legazpi in Albay; and the municipalities of Bulan, Donsol, Juban, and Magallanes, together with the City of Sorsogon in Sorsogon province, according to the PHIVOLCS-DOST bulletin.
Lighter tremors at Intensity II — perceptible only to a few individuals, particularly those who are resting or at relative stillness — were felt in San Andres, Quezon, and in the City of Naga. Meanwhile, Intensity I, detectable primarily by sensitive persons or those in upper floors of structures, was reported in Batuan, Mandaon, Palanas, and San Fernando in Masbate, as well as in the town of Romblon in Romblon province.
Instrumental Seismic Readings
Beyond the areas where shaking was felt and reported by residents, PHIVOLCS-DOST also recorded instrumental intensities across a broader geographic zone. These readings are derived from seismic sensor networks rather than human observation and often capture ground motion in areas where people may not consciously register the shaking.
Instrumental Intensity III was logged in the City of Legazpi and Aroroy, as well as Castilla, Donsol, and the City of Sorsogon. Instrumental Intensity II covered a wider zone including Mandaon in Masbate; Gumaca and Mulanay in Quezon; the cities of Ligao and Tabaco in Albay; and the City of Iriga, Pili, Ragay, and Sipocot in Camarines Sur. At the lowest detectable instrumental level — Intensity I — readings were recorded in Batuan, Dimasalang, and San Fernando in Masbate; Odiongan in Romblon; Sagñay in Camarines Sur; Bulusan and Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon; Malinao in Aklan; and the City of Roxas in Capiz.
By the Numbers
- 5.4 — magnitude of the earthquake
- 8:54:02 AM PHT — exact time the quake struck on July 13, 2026
- 27 km — distance of the epicenter south-southwest of Claveria, Masbate
- 8 km — shallow focal depth of the earthquake
- Intensity V — strongest shaking level recorded, in Claveria, Masbate
- 1:04 PM PHT — time the official PHIVOLCS-DOST bulletin was issued
Damage Outlook and Safety Advisory
PHIVOLCS-DOST stated in its bulletin that the earthquake is not expected to result in structural damage. Despite this assessment, the agency cautioned that aftershocks remain possible following a seismic event of this magnitude. Residents in Masbate, Romblon, Sorsogon, Albay, Quezon, and Camarines Sur are urged by the agency to remain vigilant and to rely on updates from official government sources rather than unverified reports circulating on social media.
For those in earthquake-prone communities, standard safety protocols apply: stay away from damaged structures, avoid coastal areas immediately after a quake if there is any risk of a secondary hazard, and keep emergency contact numbers accessible. PHIVOLCS-DOST monitors seismic activity across the Philippines around the clock and updates its public bulletins as new data becomes available.
About PHIVOLCS Monitoring
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), serves as the primary government agency responsible for tracking earthquake and volcanic activity throughout the Philippine archipelago. The agency's seismic network spans the country and provides near-real-time data to inform public safety advisories. Residents and local government units are encouraged to monitor the agency's official website at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph for the most current information on earthquake activity and related hazards.
Why This Matters
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake with a shallow focal depth of only 8 kilometers has a heightened potential to be felt strongly across populated areas, as shallow quakes transmit ground motion more intensely to the surface — a factor that explains why shaking spread across such a large number of provinces despite no reported damage. The wide geographic reach of felt intensities, spanning Masbate, Romblon, Sorsogon, Albay, Quezon, and Camarines Sur, underscores the need for communities in this seismically active region to maintain preparedness at all times. PHIVOLCS-DOST's advisory on possible aftershocks further highlights the importance of sustained public vigilance even after the initial event subsides.
Source: Originally reported by breakingnewsnegros.com