MANILA -- Local government units were ordered to inspect all buildings in their respective areas to ensure public safety in the wake of the recent strong earthquakes that rocked the country.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año urged all LGUs, through building officials, to conduct inspections, as well as to coordinate with local offices of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure proper compliance to the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) or Presidential Decree 1096, s. 1997, and the Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP) or Republic Act 9514.
“Aside from being physically present in your respective LGUs during these times, all local chief executives are reminded to not be complacent in doing preemptive measures to ensure that all structures are safe for use,” Año said in a statement.
According to the NBCP, among the qualifications for a building to be considered dangerous is whenever any of its portion “has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause,” to the extent that its structural strength or stability is less than it was before the catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the Code.
“Huwag po nating ipagwalang-bahala (We should not be complacent) if you see any portion of a building wracked, warped, buckled, or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to earthquake, you should immediately inform the building owners. There should be no compromise when it comes to public safety,” he added.
Año further directed DILG regional directors and provincial directors to make an assessment on the quick action, as well as readiness of all LGUs during and after the earthquakes.
"All DILG field offices must assess the effectiveness and the lapses of the recent earthquake drills conducted by LGUs. Check if LGUs have immediately setup their tactical operation centers. Have the local chief executives convened their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs)?" the DILG Secretary noted.
Año has also instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BFP to assist in rescue and relief efforts in earthquake affected areas in Luzon and the Visayas especially in areas near the epicenter of the earthquakes.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Oscar Albayalde has directed the Police Regional Office 3 under Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel to activate their Disaster Incident Management Task Group and immediately provide assistance to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 3, LGUs, other government agencies, and civilian groups.
Año said that the PNP is on top of the peace and order situation in all affected areas and is assisting in the clearing of all affected roads and bridges for search, rescue and relief operations. He also directed the BFP to assist in all ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Moreover, he is reminding LGUs of Sections 444 and 455 of the Local Government Code that mandate local chief executives of city and municipal governments in their exercise of general supervision of their jurisdiction to visit component barangays of the municipality or city at least once every six months to deepen their understanding of problems and conditions therein.
“Sa ganitong panahon ng sakuna (In this time of disaster), LGUs should be able to test their coordination and communication mechanism during response operations, and understand the command and control mechanism in emergency and disaster operation of their LDRRMCs,” he pointed out.
On Monday, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, killing at least 16 and injuring over 80 others.
On Tuesday afternoon, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake also jolted San Julian, Eastern Samar, leaving at least 10 people injured. (PNA)
