‘Big One’ quake fears prompt inspections in informal settlements

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government will begin inspecting buildings in informal settler areas amid fears that structurally unsound homes could lead to mass casualties if a major earthquake, or “The Big One,” strikes, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

“If we do have The Big One, most of the casualties will come from the ISFs [informal settler families] because none of their buildings were constructed with permits and they cook with kerosene… and that is the major cause of fires and that will be the major cause of damage,” Remula said in a Senate budget hearing on Thursday, Oct. 16.

In contrast, Remulla said residents in condominiums and other structures compliant with the National Building Code should have little to worry about.

“As far as the cities are concerned, I think the National Building Code is holding up. What we need is to strengthen the building codes of the municipalities in order for them to check the integrity of the structures there,” he said.

In a chance interview, Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will issue a memorandum circular mandating the inspection of structures in informal settlements.

“Iba dyan makikita niyo, five stories, six stories, so hindi natin alam kung ano yung structural integrity ng mga iyan,” he said.

He said local government units (LGUs) will be responsible for inspecting these buildings and determining the appropriate course of action if they are found to be unsafe.

DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan added that a nationwide infrastructure audit will be conducted, beginning with pilot areas in Metro Manila, Calabarzon (particularly Cavite and Laguna), and central Luzon (starting with Bulacan and Pampanga).

Iringan said LGUs will collaborate with professional engineers and may also tap engineering students to assist in assessing the structural integrity of buildings.

He assured the public that LGUs have established protocols to guide them step by step in responding to the anticipated catastrophic earthquake.