A state of calamity was declared Monday in Tingloy and Batangas City after several earthquakes jolted the province since last Saturday.

The provincial council (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) made the declaration after 2 quakes shocked Mabini town in Batangas Saturday afternoon a minute apart: first a magnitude 5.7 at 3:08 p.m., followed by a magnitude 5.9.

A third quake hit nearby Taysan town in Batangas 20 minutes later at magnitude 5.0.

A state of calamity means local officials can tap emergency funds and impose price freeze on basic commodities.

Speaking to ANC on Monday, Katrin Buted, spokesperson of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, said over 3,000 people are still staying at evacuation centers all over Batangas province while damage to the provincial capital's infrastructure has been estimated to be worth P70 million.

Infrastructure repairs and distribution of relief goods are underway in the province since Sunday.-- Report from Dennis Datu, DZMM