DILG to Metro mayors: Identify quake-risk areas

MANILA, Philippines -  Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo wants mayors in Metro Manila to identify areas sitting on fault lines and warn residents of the risks they face to make them more prepared for disasters, particularly earthquakes. 

Robredo gave the instructions during an inter-agency conference-workshop on earthquake aftermath at a hotel in Quezon City yesterday.

He said pinpointing areas straddling the West Valley fault line and apprising residents of the dangers they face would help local government units in disaster preparations.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in its Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), said a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila would destroy 16,000 buildings and injure at least 150,000 people.

The MMEIRS said such a magnitude would also trigger major fires in Manila, Pasig and Quezon City – areas considered high risk.

Robredo admitted that evacuating thousands in high-risk areas could be costly to both the government and the residents themselves.

“Can we afford it (evacuation) at this point in time, if you have the money probably you will. If you don’t have the money, what will you do? I think we have to provide them with information that if this happens, this is what you do. We have to focus on the response than on evacuation,” said Robredo.

“We cannot just leave it to God, we have to be prepared ourselves,” he said.

“It becomes imperative for our LGUs (local government units) to prioritize their capabilities in responding to large-scale calamities in the light of the current issues on LGUs’ readiness to overcome a major disaster similar to the magnitude 9 earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami that hit Japan,” he said.

He said the workshop also aims to improve awareness of possible scenarios LGUs, particularly in Metro Manila, would likely face.

Representatives from Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, University of the Philippines National Institute of Geology, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also attended the workshop.

Makati preparations

Drawing lessons from Japan’s experience, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. has ordered building owners and administrators in the city to undertake disaster preparations. He said part of the preparations is requiring building owners and administrators to check the structural integrity of their buildings.

“I have sent letters to all building owners to make necessary arrangements. But we are trying to make an assessment of the effects of an earthquake. We are still identifying the areas that would be hardest hit,” Binay said.

Binay, former head of the Makati Rescue Unit, said emergency rescue teams down to the barangay level, have undergone training for fire and earthquake response. “Earthquake rescue doesn’t need high tech equipment. Some barangays now have their own ambulances,” he said.

Binay, however, admitted that an earthquake of a magnitude as Japan’s would likely stretch the city’s disaster teams’ resources and capabilities and might prompt them to seek outside help.

“We are ready but if we are talking about the earthquake that hit Japan, we will definitely be needing outside help,” he said.

He said one of their major concerns is ensuring enough supply of blood, hospital staff and beds. He said another city hospital may have to be put up right within the central business district where 360 high-rise buildings are located.

Phivolcs earlier said that the West Valley fault line (formerly called the Marikina fault line) is already “ripe for movement.”

Phivolcs said a movement in the fault line could produce a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

The West Valley fault line, according to Phivolcs, moves every 200 to 400 years. Its last movement was recorded 200 years ago.

Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Pateros, Taguig and Muntinlupa are likely to suffer the most in case of a major movement in the West Valley fault line.

The West Valley fault line runs from the Sierra Madre mountain range to Sta. Rosa, Laguna through Bulacan, Rodriguez, Rizal, Quezon City, the eastern side of Metro Manila, including Pasig, Taguig, Muntinlupa, San Pedro, and Carmona Cavite. 

Risk in Pateros

Meanwhile, the chief of Pateros’ rescue unit said 80 percent of the municipality might succumb to liquefaction in the event of a major earthquake.

Marko Pielago said eight of the 10 barangays in the municipality sit on clay soil and thus are likely to sink or shift after a strong earthquake. Liquefaction occurs when underground water loosens soil and makes it unstable.

But Mayor Joey Medina, for his part, downplayed the possibility of liquefaction saying unlike major cities like Makati, Pateros does not have high-rise buildings.

“Nevertheless, we are intensifying our capability building. We are also beefing up our rescue team, which now operates on a 24-hour basis. With very limited resources, we are trying our best to prepare and inform the people,” he said.

Pielago also said town officials have been trying to call the attention of residents to the problem since 2007 “but some reject” the initiative.

“Some of them would even ask if they will receive food or money if they join us,” Pielago said.

Taguig-Pateros schools division disaster coordinator Vilma Montemayor said they have shifted their information dissemination campaign from the adults to children.

“I’m just thankful that the mayor is very supportive despite our limited resources,” Pielago said. - With Aie Balagtas See and Mike Frialde