NDRRMC, engineer groups ink pact on disaster resilience

MANILA, Philippines - Two groups of engineers will assess whether the country’s structures can withstand earthquakes.

This is contained in an agreement that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) signed yesterday with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. (PICE) and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (ASEP).

The agreement is a component of the Earthquake Quick Response Program (EQRP).

NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama signed the agreement with PICE national president David Sanchez and ASEP president Carlos Villaraza in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Pama said the agreement would allow engineers to lend their expertise in efforts to assess whether structures in the country can withstand earthquakes.

“This is one area where we at OCD (Office of Civil Defense) and NDRRMC need a different kind of storm surge,” he said.

“It is a storm surge in the context of knowledge and how expertise and assistance from people like you” can be transferred. 

Villaraza said the cooperation between the government and two groups of engineers would prevent a scenario wherein about 30,000 people would die if a “big one” hits Metro Manila.

Sanchez said PICE is now forming a team to determine the safety of vital structures like hospitals, schools and evacuation centers.