Quake fears affect admin operations of Muntinlupa school

Officials of the Pedro E. Diaz National High School in Muntinlupa were forced to transfer to a make-shift office amid fears of a possible strong earthquake if the West Valley Fault moves, a "24 Oras" report said.

School officials, including the principal, transferred to their Home Economics model house complete with bedroom, living room, and a dining area, as classes opened Monday.

"Yung ibang staff naman inampon muna ng ibang department. Kailangan talagang mag-adjust tulad ako, nandito sa bedroom," Estrella Aserob, the principal of the public high school, said.

Pedro E. Diaz National High School is one of the three Muntinlupa schools sitting on top of the West Valley Fault system, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). The other two are Buli Elementary School and Alabang Elementary School.

Dr. Mauro De Gulan, the DepEd Schools Division Superintendent in Muntinlupa, said over 50 classrooms in the three schools will no longer be used because of their location.

Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) also cautioned residents on the possible liquefaction of the ground in Muntinlupa in case a massive earthquake hits the city.

"Using toothpaste analogy niya ng liquefaction. Ang Muntinlupa kasi is facing Laguna de Bay," Solidum said. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez