PH needs to catch up on preparations to survive magnitude 7.2 quake —OCD

The Philippines needs to catch up on its preparations to survive a magnitude 7.2 or stronger earthquake just like what happened in Myanmar and Thailand last week that left around 1,700 people dead, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said that while the “Big One” is often talked about since it could hit Metro Manila the worst because it is very near the West Valley Fault System, the country has six other active trenches which cause frequent earthquakes in Abra, Bohol, and Davao region.

“We should not only prepare for the Big One. We have six other active trenches. There are two levels of preparations: for response by the national government agencies, we are ready and the plans are in place. But [the second level of preparation is] for the engineering solutions, [and] we have to catch up,” Nepomuceno told GMA News Online.

“Meaning, houses, buildings, and other structures must be fully compliant with the building code. We need to conduct structural integrity, audit, and strengthen our homes, buildings, etc.,” he added.

He also said a joint Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Japan International Cooperation Agency study on possible impact of a magnitude 7 earthquake way back in 2004 already showed that at least four million people are at risk.

“There are many more structures now [compared with 2004]. We always hear duck, cover and hold. But that is a response once the earthquake is happening already. What is important here is the engineering solution. Do we have strong enough schools, hospitals, buildings when they are shaken by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake? Napakalakas po noon,” he said in a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

 (That would be a really strong one.)

“As for residential houses where the people would also be, are they structurally sound? Because otherwise, people could be buried there. People should look at their houses, too. Talk to engineers, don’t go for a short cut when securing construction, building permit, look at the retrofitting process that shores up the structure,” he added.

In closing, Nepomuceno also called on developers to strictly follow the Building Code.

”Those who plan to build houses or buildings, we should follow the law and stop looking for short cuts in the process of securing construction and occupancy permits," he said.

“We have 20,000 people in government who are equipped to respond, but again, that is for reaction. What is important is the engineering solution. Let’s not leave it all up to the national government,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News