LGUs to intensify building inspection for safety on major Earthquake - DPWH

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One San Miguel Bldg., Ortigas Center.

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Ortigas Center, Pasig City

A March 16, 2011 press release by the Department of Public Works and Highways

Building officials of local government units who issued building and occupancy permits should intensify inspection of buildings, both private and government owned, in their areas of jurisdiction amid the calls of ensuring public safety during calamities.

“These building officials should continue checking the structural integrity of these buildings especially at these present times to assure public safety,” DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said.

“Like the 18-storey Philcomcen building in Ortigas, Pasig City, the building official should look into its present condition. If it warrants immediate demolition, then it should be demolished before it poses danger to the public,” Singson said.

At the same time, DPWH engineers were also directed to continue with their inspection of national roads, tunnels, flyovers, interchanges, elevated expressways, bridges along national roads, to further assess on what works to be done to retrofit, reconstruct or undertake major repairs to improve the structural stability of these structures.

The DPWH has undertaken inspection of at least 300 structures along national roads in Metro Manila to check on their seismic vulnerability taking into account the type of structure, configuration, bridge location and seismicity of bridge site as well as its importance for social or survival and defense requirement.

DPWH also undertook the inspection of at least 1,000 public buildings located in Metro Manila where some have been recommended for urgent detailed evaluation to determine the structural performance of these buildings in case of major earthquakes.

Singson called on the private sector entities like the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) to participate in conducting audit of public buildings particularly school buildings, hospitals, housing projects, and other important government buildings. If possible, audits should include thorough materials testing, Singson said.

In a meeting with Phivolcs Head Renato Solidum Jr., PICE President Benito M. Pacheco, ASEP President Wilfredo Lopez, Metro Manila building officials who are members of Philippine Association of Building Officials (PABO), DPWH key officials and representatives of other concerned government agencies and the private sector,  Singson reiterated his previous directives that a concerted effort must be in place to further ensure that the government is prepared in the event a disaster may strike the country.