The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will investigate the stability of buildings in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces to ensure they are prepared should "The Big One", a term referring to a highly powerful earthquake, strike the National Capital Region (NCR).

News Image #1

(Picture from Department of Science and Technology website)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revealed that approximately 3,200 structures stand on the West Valley Fault, with 12 to 13% of these inhabited buildings potentially suffering significant damage should a very strong earthquake hit Metro Manila.

The West Valley Fault runs through the cities of Marikina, Quezon, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, and Muntinlupa, including their neighboring provinces.

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(Picture from Phivolcs)

DILG will use the so-called "Harmonized Infrastructure Audit" tool to identify the stability of buildings in case of a strong tremor.

This tool will serve as the basis for assessing the country's local public infrastructure, particularly those that could be destroyed during powerful earthquakes, according to the DILG.

It will also help Local Government Units (LGUs) identify which infrastructure should be prioritized in the infrastructure audit. DILG will begin using the tool in the NCR, Central Luzon, and South Luzon.

DILG has also coordinated with universities and colleges to solicit the help of 4th and 5th year Engineering students in assessing the infrastructure conditions.