DILG asks LGUs to inspect buildings following earthquakes

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday urged local government units (LGU) of Luzon and Eastern Samar recently hit by earthquake to immediately inspect all buildings under their jurisdiction to ensure the integrity of the structures.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año asked LGUs to coordinate with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) local offices for proper compliance with the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) and the Fire Code of the Philippines.

“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.

“Sa ganitong panahon ng sakuna, 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 (Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils),” he added.

The DILG chief quoted NBCP which stated that a building is considered dangerous “whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or the stability thereof is materially less than it was before the catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the Code.”

“Huwag po nating ipagwalang-bahala. 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,” Año said.

He  directed DILG regional directors and provincial directors to assess the effectiveness and the lapses of the recent earthquake drills conducted by LGUs.

Año’s comments came after a 6.1-magnitude quake struck parts of Luzon on Monday afternoon. A 6.5-magnitude tremor occurred in San Julian, Eastern Samar on Tuesday afternoon.

The DILG chief also urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the BFP to assist in rescue and relief efforts in earthquake-affected areas in Luzon and Visayas especially those near the epicenter of the earthquakes.

PNP Chief Police General Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, directed the Police Regional Office III under Police Brigadier General 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) III, LGUs, other government agencies, and civilian groups. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News