Batanes to rebuild stronger stone houses destroyed by twin quakes

The local government of Batanes is planning to rebuild "signature" stone houses that crumbled when the twin earthquakes and a series of strong aftershocks struck the province over the weekend.

GMA News' Bam Alegre reported Wednesday on Unang Balita that the provincial government estimated 80 traditional stone houses were in ruins.

The famed coral limestone structures that withstood decades of lashing winds and raging storms have become symbols of the Ivatan's strength and resilience. The structures'  lack of steel foundations, however, did not make them earthquake-resistant.

Most of the stone houses located in the town of Itbayat were no match for the intensity of the early morning temblors last Saturday.

Some of the houses crumbled while the residents were still sleeping in their homes when the magnitude-5.4 quake struck at dawn. A stronger one, at magnitude-5.9, followed early in the morning last Saturday.

Batanes Governor Malou Cayco said they plan to rebuild the stone houses as part of the rehabilitation efforts.

Apart from making them stronger to be able to withstand earthquakes, the official said each house will be studied carefully to restore the original and preserve their likeness. 

"Halos lahat ng vernacular houses, nasira po. So ngayon, kinausap ko na si Mayor na 'pag itatayo po nila 'yan, gusto ko po, kung ano 'yung itsura n'yan nung bago masira 'yan 'yun pa rin ang ipapatayo namin, pero mas matibay na. lalagyan na na ng bakal at lalagyan na ng semento,"  the governor said.

Powerful temblors and aftershocks left at least nine people dead, 60 others hurt, and around 900 families displaced in Itbayat town.

After losing their homes and loved ones, the townsfolk were called over for a Holy Mass without their church bell as the earthquake also tore down the belfry of the town's historic Santa Maria de Mayan Church. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News