By ZALDY COMANDA and LIEZLE BASA-INIGO
Classes and work in the national and local government in Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur were suspended on Wednesday, Oct. 26, following a magnitude-6.4 earthquake that rocked Abra late Tuesday night, Oct. 25.

Abra Gov. Dominic Valera, chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), suspended all classes and work in government offices in the province.
Valera said the government prioritizes safety and conducting infrastructure inspections.
The Municipal DRRMC in Lagayan, Abra, the epicenter of the earthquake, reported Wednesday that two houses were totally damaged and five people were injured by the earthquake.
Residents are still unable to return to their homes due to aftershocks and are preparing temporary shelters in open areas.
Several residents in the town of San Juan, Abra also evacuated from their homes and stayed in open spaces for safety.
Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said classes and work were cancelled to prioritize the inspection of infrastructure in Ilocos Norte.
A major hospital in Batac City, Ilocos Norte was damage by the earthquake.
Manotoc encouraged heads of private companies to take all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their personnel.
He reminded his constituents to be on alert as aftershocks are expected to happen.
“During the earthquake, duck, cover, and hold. Wait for the shaking to stop then walk outside calmly. Know the nearest evacuation center in your locality," Manotoc said.
He urged local government units to open all possible evacuation centers and prepare food, water, and other necessities for evacuees.
‘’Distancing must be strictly observed to avert the possible spread of Covid-19 and certain diseases.’’
The earthquake was aftershock of the magnitude-7 earthquake shook Abra on July 27.