The Philippine National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is keeping a close watch on the rice fields of Central Luzon, the country’s rice granary, in anticipation of a decrease in production due to the effects of the prolonged drought this year, the agency’s administrator said on Wednesday.

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck inland in the northern province of Abra Wednesday morning, badly damaging homes, public and private buildings and roads and sending strong tremors through Metro Manila.