The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is urging the country to improve its earthquake preparedness, especially for a magnitude 7.2 or stronger quake. This follows the recent disaster in Myanmar and Thailand, which claimed around 1,700 lives. OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno stressed that engineering solutions are just as crucial as emergency response plans.
Beyond the 'Big One'
While much attention is on the "Big One" expected from the West Valley Fault System, Nepomuceno warned that the country has six other active trenches that can trigger destructive earthquakes, especially in Abra, Bohol, and the Davao region.
“There are two levels of preparation: government response, which is in place, and engineering solutions, where we need to catch up,” he said. He urged authorities and property developers to prioritize structural integrity checks, retrofitting, and strict compliance with the National Building Code.
Building Stronger Structures
A 2004 study by PHIVOLCS and JICA warned that a magnitude 7 quake could put at least four million people at risk. With more structures built since then, the risks have only increased.
“Duck, cover, and hold is important, but that’s a reaction. What matters is whether our schools, hospitals, and homes can withstand a magnitude 7.2 earthquake,” Nepomuceno said in an interview.
Stricter Compliance, Better Safety
Nepomuceno called on developers and homeowners to avoid shortcuts in construction and work with engineers to ensure safety. He also urged government agencies to strictly enforce the Building Code.
“We have 20,000 government responders, but that’s for after an earthquake. The key is engineering solutions. We can’t leave everything to the national government,” he said.
