Metro Manila cities are not yet ready for a strong quake that may occur anytime on the Valley Fault System, a government scientist said Tuesday night.
According to Renato Solidum, Jr., director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), local governments have much to do.
“Maraming hindi pa (ready), I mean to the fullest kasi kami marami pang pwedeing i-improve,” Solidum said on ABS-CBN’s newscast “Bandila”.
“Marami paring mga bahay na hindi nagsasanay. Pagdating sa pag-lindol, walang drill. Ang mga kahandaaan ng mga bahay at mga gusali meron pa rin ang babagsak at marami ang masusugatan at mamatay,” he warned. “Kailangang inspeksyunin ang mga bahay at gusali ng local building officials.”
Solidum also added that the preparation after the earthquake should also be considered, urging search and rescue groups not only in the Metro Manila but in provinces that could reach out help in Manila.
Meanwhile, a handbook of large-scale maps showing in detail the areas traversed by the Valley Fault System (VFS).
VFS Atlas are being distributed to local government officials.
The active fault system composed of two fault segments runs through different cities and towns of Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.
On the late newscast, Solidum reitereated that a quake as strong as magnitude 7.2 may occur soon on the fault system.
“Ang Valley Fault System ay isang fault na aktibo sa silangang bahagi ng Metro Manila at ito ay kumikilos kada 400 taon hanggang ika-600 taon. Ang isang lindol na associated sa Valley Fault ay nangyari noong 1658. Ito ay matagal na, 357 years ago, so kung titingnan natin pwedeng gumalaw to nang mas maaga. Mukhang mangyayari ito sa ating lifetime,” he said.
Solidum added that such a quake may kill more than 30,000 people and leave more than 100,000 injured because of buildings that may collapse, particularly if the tremor occurs at night when people are asleep inside their homes.
H/T: ABS-CBN News