DPWH-NCR finds cracks in 2 bridges, 34 school buildings, 7 gov’t offices after quake

Two bridges, 34 school buildings, and seven government offices in Metro Manila have sustained minor cracks after the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Luzon Monday afternoon, a Public Works and Highways official said Tuesday.

Ador Canlas, DPWH-National Capital Region director, said the cracks are not a major cause of concern, being superficial defects that will not affect the structural integrity of the entire building.

“Naka-inspect na kami ng 133 bridges, flyovers, and viaduct, at ang nakitaan ng minor defect dalawa lang naman. Ang Tinajeros bridge at Tanza bridge sa Malabon-Navotas area, mga minor cracks sa railings. Pwede ‘yang daanan,” he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

He said of the 188 school buildings they inspected, 34 have cracks on walls, floors, and ceilings, while of the 55 government agencies they checked, seven have minor cracks.

"Again, minor lang 'yun, superficial cracks na walang impact sa structural integrity ng building," he said. "Kasama diyan ang Senate building, MMDA [Metropolitan Manila Development Authority], Pasig City Hall, at iba pang government buildings,” he said.

Canlas said they have already inspected about 45 percent of the public buildings in Metro Manila and will continue checking others in the coming days.

“Halos mga 45 percent pa lang, sa school marami pa dahil sa isang school site ay maraming buildings,” he said.

“Generally parang naka-establish na sa Metro Manila ay walang government building na may major defect, kaya so far na-establish na safe naman, pero continuing ang inspection hanggang sa matapos ito,” he added.

The DPWH started checking the buildings right after the earthquake.

Aside from public structures, owners of private establishments have also requested the DPWH to inspect their buildings, said Canlas.

He added they have already sought the help of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and the city building officials to check the structures.

He said the nine DPWH district offices have already established four to five teams to help in the inspection.

“Sa central office nag-create din ng teams sa Bureau of Design, Bureau of Maintenance, at saka Bureau of Construction,” he added. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News