By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Following the deadly earthquake in Myanmar, Malacañang called on local government units (LGUs) to ensure the safety and integrity of buildings in their localities.
In a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said local building officers should conduct thorough inspections of existing structures to ensure that they follow the Building Code.
She said it is essential for local authorities to be strict in granting building permits to ensure that new constructions are sturdy enough.
“Sa mga local government units… idini-demand po natin hangga’t maaari po na iyong mga building officers nila ay magsagawa po ng mga inspection kung maaari, at maging mahigpit din po sila sa pagbibigay ng mga permits sa pagpapagawa ng mga buildings na magiging maaaring hindi ganoon katibay (To our local government units, we demand their building officers to conduct inspections if possible, and they should also be strict in granting permits for the construction of buildings),” she added.
Castro said that while it is impossible to predict when such events will occur, it is crucial for both government agencies and local governments to be proactive in safeguarding lives.
She also urged the public to cooperate in spreading information about safety measures and earthquake readiness.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake, one of Myanmar’s strongest in a century, jolted the war-torn Southeast Asian nation on Friday, leaving around 1,700 people dead, 3,400 injured and over 300 missing as of Sunday.
The Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region around the Pacific Ocean characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity, encompassing around 75 percent of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes and 90 percent of its earthquakes
In addition, experts also projected that the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila could be due for a major quake, known as the Big One. (PNA)
