Earthquake-proofing buildings and infrastructure appear to be the weakest link in the national government’s efforts to be fully prepared in case a strong earthquake similar to what struck Myanmar and Thailand would jolt Metro Manila, an official said on Monday, March 31.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), explained that there are actually two levels of preparations for the Big One, a potential more than 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila.
The second level is the earthquake drills that are regularly being held every year, the intention is to make every person prepared on what to do during the first few minutes of the strong tremor, which Nepomuceno described as a life-saving measure.
The first level, he said, is the engineering solutions that include retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructures and ensuring that those that are being constructed would comply with the requirements of making sure that they could withstand strong quakes.
“The most important is engineering solutions. Even if you are fully-prepared in duck, cover and hold but the infrastructure where you would be in case of the strong earthquake is not strong, then it would render the personal preparations not useful,” said Nepomuceno in Radyo 630 interview.
“This engineering solution means that the structures like bridges, buildings like hospitals and schools and even houses must be strong. This is the part where we should do more,” he added.
The death toll on the 7.7 magnitude quake is now more than 1,600 in Myanmar due to collapsed infrastructures. In Thailand, a viral video showed a high-rise building under construction collapsed during the tremor.
Nepomuceno emphasized that while the government is doing well in conducting earthquake drills and in the preparations of every government agency during and after the Big One, there is a need to step up the efforts for engineering solutions.
West Valley and Manila Trench
Based on the study conducted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the movement of the West Valley Fault System happens every 400 to 600 years and right now, Nepomuceno said the Philippines is moving closer to the expected next movement.
That movement in the West Valley Fault System, he said quoting Phivolcs, would trigger around 7.2 magnitude of quake in Metro Manila.
And citing additional study from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 20 years ago, Nepomuceno said the worst case scenario in a 7.2 magnitude quake in Metro Manila would result in over 30,000 to 50,000 death toll and over 160,000 serious injuries.
But what is even more serious in effect, according to Nepomuceno, is the movement of the Manila Trench as it could trigger an 8.3 magnitude quake.
“In the case of the movement at the Manila Trench, the projection is an 8.3 magnitude earthquake and it will also trigger a tsunami,” said Nepomuceno.
Challenges
In a press briefing at the New Clark City in Tarlac last year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cited several retrofitting works in some infrastructures in Metro Manila, including the recently-completed strengthening of the Kamuning Flyover.
It also cited the need to conduct retrofitting works for the Guadalupe Bridge in Makati, a recommendation that is yet to be approved due to the impact it would cause to motorists in cases of bridge closure.
On the part of the Nepomuceno, one of the undertakings that must be completed and strictly implemented is to ensure that all the buildings and infrastructures that would be built should be strong enough to withstand strong quakes.
Prayer and action
Nepomuceno said that while they are praying that this would not happen, he emphasized the need for preparations for worse-case scenarios and urged everyone to take proactive measures to ensure community safety.
“The earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand should serve as a wake-up call for us all. Every second counts when it comes to safeguarding our communities. This incident underscores the urgent need for disaster preparedness to be a priority for every Filipino,” said Nepomuceno.
We must make readiness a part of our everyday lives to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Let us come together in compassion and preparedness, fostering a culture of resilience that will protect us in times of crisis,” he added.