Quezon Gov’t Cuts Work Hours After Mindoro Quake

LUCENA CITY – The Quezon provincial government has reduced working hours in all its offices on Friday, following a magnitude 5.4 earthquake that struck Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, and was felt in parts of Quezon. Under Memorandum Order No. 16, Series of 2026, issued by the Office of the Provincial Administrator, the measure aims to ensure the safety of employees and assess the impact of the tremor. The order instructs provincial government employees to end their work earlier than usual. The earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), occurred about 30 kilometers northwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The shaking was felt in Lucena City and other areas within Quezon province. No significant damage or injuries have been reported in Quezon as a result of the earthquake so far. Given the Philippines' location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, seismic activity is common. Authorities consistently emphasize preparedness for such natural disasters, including regular drills and infrastructure resilience efforts. This temporary reduction in work hours is part of the government's contingency measures.