Ensure structures are ready for 'The Big One'

Infrastructure quake-proofing weakest link in preparation – OCD

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, AARON RECUENCO, and ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

As part of disaster preparedness efforts, Malacañang has called on local government units (LGUs) to ensure that buildings comply with safety standards following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that left over 1,700 people dead and four Filipinos unaccounted for.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said the country remains highly vulnerable to powerful earthquakes, including tremors stronger than the 7.8-magnitude Luzon earthquake in 1990 and the 8.1-magnitude Moro Gulf earthquake in 1976.

In a press briefing on Monday, March 31, Communications Under-secretary Claire Castro emphasized the importance of readiness in light of the recent earthquake that revived talks of “The Big One” hitting Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“In these situations, we really cannot predict when it will happen, but it is better to be prepared,” Castro said.

Weakest link

In fact, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said that earthquake-proofing of buildings and infrastructure appear to be the weakest link in the national government’s efforts to be fully prepared in case of a strong earthquake.

The Palace Press Officer highlighted that most government agencies have measures in place for disaster response.

“We have earthquake drills, fire drills, and we have Go Bags ready,” Castro said.

Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator, refers to this as the second level of preparation. Earthquake drills are regularly being held every year to make every person prepared on what to do during the first few minutes of a strong tremor, which Nepomuceno describes as a life-saving measure.

Despite the second level preparations, Castro called on LGUs to take an active role in ensuring that buildings in their jurisdictions meet safety standards.