In Executive Order No. 10, David said the suspension exempts those who are performing frontline essential response services in the provincial government.

“The province of La Union was not spared by the earthquake and initial assessments are being made by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and aftershocks are expected thus might endanger the safety of all workers and to ensure that all homes and establishments are safe, there is a need to suspend work in all government establishments and schools,” she said.

David said private institutions shall exercise sole discretion in the suspension of work in their establishments.

She has also directed frontliners and emergency personnel to be on high alert so that appropriate responses can be delivered.

Some local government units in Pangasinan have also suspended work in government offices.

Pangasinan PDRRMO emergency operations center director Ron Castillo said there were no reported casualties and major infrastructure damage in the province.

“There were a very, very small few cracks in the provincial capitol building but it is minor and aside from that, there were no other reported damages,” he said in an interview.

Castillo said Intensity 5 was experienced by residents in the province.

He added there was also no tsunami alert issued to Pangasinan.

However, Castillo advised the residents to still take precautionary measures as aftershocks are expected.