Inspection of Manila buildings called

The Manila City Council has passed an ordinance calling for the citywide survey and examination of existing old government and privately owned buildings in preparation for the strong earthquake dubbed the “Big One” which experts believe could strike anytime.

In a unanimous voting, the City Council passed on third and final reading Ordinance No. 7821 which covers the inspection of student dormitories, schools, hospitals, and landmarks and cultural heritage buildings.

“This is significant and timely, considering that there had been numerous earthquakes in the past weeks and months. Ito’y paghahanda lang natin,” the ordinance’s author, 6th District Councilor Joel Par, said in an interview.

He said that the principal purpose of the building examinations is to test the structures’ structural integrity and in case serious deficiencies are found, retrofitting measures will be initiated.

Par cited the 6.7 magnitude tremor that struck Surigao City on February 10, killing eight people and injuring 200. A total of 29,190 residents or 5,838 families were affected as it disrupted power and water supplies and damaged ₱716 million worth of infrastructures.