MANILA, Philippines — The government must ensure that the safety of workers will be a priority should a strong earthquake hit the country, Trabaho party list said on Monday.
In a statement, Trabaho party-list spokesperson Mitchell-David Espiritu said that the Philippine government must work to increase disaster preparedness, amid concerns following a strong earthquake that hit Thailand and Myanmar recently.
“(There is an) urgent need for stringent enforcement of building codes and the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols in workplaces. (It is important to have) proactive measures to mitigate the risks posed by potential seismic events, especially in light of the Philippines’ vulnerability to earthquakes,” Espiritu said.
“Recent assessments by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed that over 21,000 public buildings have been evaluated for structural integrity in preparation for a possible 7.2-magnitude earthquake, often referred to as ‘The Big One’,” he added.
Concerns were raised with the state of buildings in the Philippines after a Magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand last March 28, leading to the destruction of several buildings, including high-rise ones.
As of Sunday, over 3,300 individuals have been confirmed dead, with 4,850 injured.
In the Philippines, experts fear that at least 52,000 may die with 500,000 others injured should the West Valley Fault—a segment of the Marikina Valley Fault System that cuts from Bulacan down to Metro Manila and then Laguna—would cause a Magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
A special report PSA Philippines Consultancy Inc. in 2019 showed that the possible quake, dubbed as the “Big One”, stated that at least two major earthquakes had been recorded originating from the West Valley Fault in the last 1,400 years.
With no significant movement over the West Valley Fault since the 16th century—as the fault system is expected to move every 350 to 400 years—there is a belief that a strong quake is ripe.
After the Myanmar quake, several lawmakers and observers have called for the passage of proposed amendments to the country’s building code.
Last March 31, House of Representatives’ committee on public works and highways chairperson and Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. urged the Senate to pass the Philippine Building Act to ensure that new and existing infrastructure across the country will be ready against natural hazards.
The proposed Philippine Building Act, as contained in House Bill (HB) No. 8500, was approved by the House last August 2023. If approved by the Senate and eventually signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., it would replace the country’s over four-decades-old National Building Code.
The country’s existing building code was created through Presidential Decree No. 1096, signed in 1977 by the Chief Executive’s father and namesake, then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Trabaho party list meanwhile calls for a “multi-faceted approach” to mitigating disasters and ensuring workplace safety.
“Trabaho Party list is advocating for a multi-faceted approach to enhance workplace safety, including strict enforcement of building codes, regular safety drills, comprehensive risk assessments, and employee training programs on disaster response strategies and first aid to empower them to act effectively during emergencies,” he said.
“By implementing these measures, Trabaho Party list aims to foster a culture of safety and resilience in workplaces nationwide, ultimately safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the face of natural disasters,” he added.
