MANILA, Philippines — A moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.5-magnitude on the Richter scale jolted parts of Bicol Region Saturday morning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the 5.5-magnitude earthquake at 8:17 a.m. Saturday that originated 62 kilometers southeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

Phivolcs science research specialist Linda Amin said the that originated off the Philippine Sea was caused by movements along the Philippine Trench.

Intensity III was recorded in Virac, Baras and Viga in Catanduanes; Intensity II in Sorsogon City; and Intensity I in Legaspi City and Irosin in Sorsogon.

Another earthquake with 5.0-magnitude was recorded in Cagayan province shortly after Saturday noon.

The 5.0-magnitude tremor occurred at 12:46 p.m. with its epicenter located 38 kilometers northwest of Calayan, Cagayan.

Intensity V was felt in Calayan, Cagayan; Intensity IV in Pasuquin, sarrat and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, and Ballesteros and Claveria in Cagayan; Intensity II in Callao and Penablanca in Cagayan, and Lubuagan in Kalinga; and Intensity I in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

Phivolcs said there was no reported loss of lives or damage to property due to the earthquakes.

However, it noted that aftershocks are likely to occur.

Amin said earthquakes are normal occurrences in the country, noting that Phivolcs records 20 weak and strong tremors on the average everyday.

Earthquakes are frequent in the Philippines because of several active fault lines in the country.

Phivolcs record earthquakes almost everyday where some of it are too weak to be felt.

The country is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircle the basin of the Pacific Ocean.