Duterte creates office to handle quake-resiliency programs for Metro Manila, nearby provinces

President Rodrigo Duterte has created an office tasked to lead the implementation of earthquake resiliency programs for the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA), the country's economic and political center which is at risk of being affected by a major quake along the Valley Fault System.

Issued on May 8, Executive Order 52 mandates the creation of the Program Management Office for Earthquake Resiliency of the Greater Metro Manila Area (PMO-ERG) under the Office of the President (OP).

The order said the PMO-ERG "shall be the primary body responsible for spearheading, orchestrating, and integrating all efforts aimed at enhancing the resiliency" of the places under the GMMA, which include Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas and Quezon.

Disaster officials have warned that many buildings are expected to collapse should the Valley Fault System, composed of the West Valley Fault and East Valley System, move.

Large-scale maps released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) show the West Valley Fault, which traverses parts of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite, has the potential of generating up to 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

According to Phivolcs, an earthquake of such magnitude may result in 37,000 fatalities, 140,000 severe injuries, and an economic loss of P2.5 trillion.

"In view of the magnitude of this potential devastation and its repercussions, there is an urgent need to enhance the resiliency of GMMA being the seat of the national government and the main hub of the country's economic, financial, political and, educational centers," the order stated.

PMO-ERG will have an executive director and deputy executive director.

The order said the executive director should craft and submit to the Department and Budget Management (DBM) its proposed organizational and staffing pattern, which includes hiring of experts in the field of disaster preparedness and management and other "relevant highly specialized skills."

"The DBM is directed to prioritize and facilitate the urgent establishment of the PMO-ERG," it said.

The initial funds for the operation of PMO-ERG will have to be sourced from the existing budget of the OP and other sources to be determined by the DBM, according to the order. — MDM, GMA News