Marikina LGU to conduct inspection along fault system, preps ‘open hospitals’ 

Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman said that the local government will be conducting another inspection of buildings along the West Valley Fault. This was during an interview with Howie Severino on GMA’s News to Go.

 

De Guzman also mentioned that the last inspection was done 2 years ago. This year’s inspection will be verifying the findings of the previous one, following the release of the new Valley Fault Atlas by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

 

The Marikina LGU has also already identified open areas that can be used for “open hospitals” should the need arise in the aftermath of an earthquake. Markings separating emergency areas, operating areas, and wards are already in place.

 

De Guzman also said that drills in hospitals are conducted once or twice a year, and that doctors are included in disaster risk reduction and management councils.

 

 

De Guzman said that they only decided now to temporarily vacate certain buildings in Barangka elementary and high school because the release of the VFS Atlas allowed them to see specifically which buildings would possibly be affected by the fault. He also mentioned that that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be working on plans to retrofit the aforementioned buildings. — Bea Montenegro/TJD, GMA News