NEW HIGH-RISES IN PHL URBAN CENTERS QUAKE-PROOF, SAYS OFFICIAL
[PHOTOS: LEFT- New High rises by Manila Bay, BELOW- High rise in Cebu Business Park]
MANILA, MARCH 12, 2011 (STAR) By Jaime Laude - High-rise structures in Metro Manila and other urban centers are designed to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude seven, a senior disaster official said yesterday.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive officer Benito Ramos said these structures are classified as safe under the Philippines' safety standards.
"Our high-rise residential areas and offices are safer than the old post-World War II buildings that we have. These new structures are designed to withstand a seven magnitude quake," he said, responding to questions on how safe these new buildings are, in the event Metro Manila is hit by an 8.9 magnitude quake similar to what happened in Japan the other day.
Ramos' answer debunked a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which was presented during last month's hearing of the Senate committee on national defense and security chaired by Sen. Francis Escudero, showing that several buildings in Metro Manila would crumble in a 7.2 magnitude temblor.
The study said Metro Manila was not prepared to deal with a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in terms of existing resources and given old structures around and within the metropolis.
Such a magnitude, according to the study, will result in major fires in Manila, Pasig and Quezon City - areas which are considered high-risk - and fire hydrants will not be enough to put out fires so that it would take seven days before authorities can declare "fire out."
"You are asking me how prepared we (NDRRMC) are in tackling a major disaster similar to one that happened in Japan? I can say we are prepared. Up to what level, that I cannot say. You cannot fight the wrath of nature, but you can always mitigate its impact," he said.
"This is the reason why NDRMMC's preparations are not centered on disaster response but always and more importantly on mitigation preparations," he added.
Metro Manila is home to more than 16 million people and host to high-rise buildings, both being used as residential areas like condominium units as well as government and private offices.
These high-rise structures, according to Ramos, have hired personnel who underwent disaster mitigation training and whose primary job is to conduct information and education campaign for all the occupants of these establishments.
In the event of a strong quake, these building personnel automatically become the overall leaders in evacuation operations.
The NDRRMC has been conducting simultaneous nationwide earthquake drills on a quarterly basis. Aside from earthquake drills, capability-building training and disaster seminars were also conducted on a regular basis in order to involve and educate the people in the country's 17 regions.
Ramos said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), being the lead disaster agency in the entire metropolis, has already pre-positioned its disaster rescue equipment in key locations around the National Capital Region (NCR).
Inventory of logistics sought
Sen. Francis Escudero has called for an immediate and thorough assessment of the country's disaster risk management capacity.
He said a comprehensive inventory of resources should be done right away to appropriately respond to disasters such as the Japan earthquake and tsunami and its aftermath.
"We need to have a thorough audit of what expertise and logistics the agencies under the NDRRMC has so we can enhance, augment and close whatever gaps are there in relation to our coping response and capability in the event of a natural disaster such as a strong earthquake," Escudero said.
The MMDA admitted during the hearing that the metropolis' resources were limited to handle a strong earthquake, although drills and preparations at various communities and local government units were ongoing.
In a position paper, the MMDA said it would need an initial capital outlay of P200 million for training and acquisition of additional tools to be able to adequately cope with big disasters such as strong earthquakes and their aftermath like fire and flooding.
Escudero endorsed the MMDA's request to the Department of Budget and Management and the NDRRMC, saying "the amount is considerably small if compared with the gains it will reap in saving lives in an eventuality of disaster."
He also called on all local government units, not only in Metro Manila but also those in the countryside, to fully implement the current policies and programs on disaster risk reduction as mandated by law so as not to be caught unprepared during disasters and calamities.
Legarda: Inspect infra now
Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda called on the national government to spend now on the evaluation and strengthening of all public facilities and infrastructure.
"Earthquakes turn into major disasters due to unsafe structures - poorly built infrastructure, buildings in inappropriate places, inadequate design and materials specification and shortcuts in construction," she said.
Legarda said inspection during the construction of both public and private infrastructure is important because the additional expense required for making structures safe from earthquakes is worth it, especially if it would save thousands of lives.
She recommended that the government ensure that all critical infrastructure, especially schools and hospitals, are earthquake-proof through the conduct of a nationwide structural evaluation of all these facilities and by retrofitting the structures to allow them to withstand destructive earthquakes.
"(Private) school authorities must act now. They must consult structural engineers and assess the vulnerability of school structures to strong tremors, and institute immediate measures to strengthen parts found weak and likely to collapse," she said.
Legarda also called on owners of homes, office buildings, malls and other buildings to ensure that they are able to withstand strong earthquakes.
She said disaster prevention is cost-effective and that based on international studies, the cost of disaster-proofing a hospital or health facility is negligible when included in early design considerations.
"Incorporating comprehensive disaster protection from earthquake and extreme climatic events into designs from the beginning will only add four percent to the cost," Legarda said. - With Marvin Sy
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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