Post-Yolanda reconstruction a chance to build for safety

In many places in Typhoon Yolanda's path, entire neighborhoods consist of homes without roofs. The walls withstood nature's onslaught, but roofing materials flew off like cardboard.

As residents across the Visayas begin rebuilding after the ravages of the super typhoon, various government agencies are taking the post-Yolanda situation as an opportunity to ensure that reconstructed houses and buildings can withstand a cyclone of such destructive intensity.

Government officials are now looking at a wide array of possible improvements, even zeroing in on small details such as putting specific markings on construction materials.

At a forum on Monday, Assistant Secretary Zenaida Maglaya of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they are urging tin sheet manufacturers to label their products based on where they should be used.

“Ang ating gagawin, yung GI (galvanized iron) sheets na binebenta dapat may nakalagay [kung] para saan ang gamit," she said. "Dapat isama sa mga markings kung ano ang paggagamitan nito, pang-sidings ba ito, pang-porma ba ito o pang-roofing para alam ng consumer.”

She said current markings on the construction materials only indicate their thickness and size.

The updated markings are expected to be seen on the materials when newly-manufactured products come out in the market, Maglaya added.

“We have to look at the production cycle so early next year siguro. Syempre galing sa planta yan, dun pa lang [ay] dapat me markings na. Mahirap naman na gagawa ng markings andun na sa hardware. Baka mamaya, magkaroon pa ng mislabeling,” she said.

Maglaya said the DTI will conduct information and advocacy campaign on the use of proper materials.

“It is really information to the consumers, kung gusto talaga nilang bumili ng tamang klase sa tamang standard para sa roofing. Although in the end it is still the decision of the consumer if he still wants a cheaper one na hindi naman pang-roof, pero yun ang kaya lang sa bulsa,” she said.

“Advocacy should really be with the user and contractor. Dapat sisiguraduhin na nasusunod yung specifications at plano ng bahay,” Maglaya added.

Review of Building Code

Expecting storms at par or even stronger than Yolanda, PAGASA meanwhile, called for revisions in the country's four-decades-old Building Code.

“Kailangan na po sigurong i-review yung building code natin. Tataasan kumbaga, halimbawa yung isang building ganitong hangin lang ang masu-sustain, dati 200 kph lang, ngayon dapat more than 200 kph kasi itong si Yolanda 275 kph,” said Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, PAGASA National Capital Region services division chief.

Her appeal was similiar to the sentiments aired by Toshihiro Tanaka, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative to the Philippines, following the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol last month.

Bulk transport

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, who personally inspected the devastation brought by Yolanda, met with GI sheet manufacturers Monday morning to ensure sufficient supply of quality materials for typhoon-affected areas, Maglaya said.

“Nakita ni Secretary Domingo noong kami ay pumunta doon sa Tacloban, may mga bahay na nakatayo pa pero ang bubong ay nasira. Mukhang ang tingin natin, GI sheets ang unang-unang dapat pumasok sa mga lugar na yun para maayos yung mga bubong,” she said.

She said they are trying to find a way to bring the construction materials in bulk to affected areas.

“Pwede ba itong i-caravan o pwede bang maghanap doon ng depot na paglalagayan ng construction materials para bulto na dadalhin doon at hindi tingi-tingi? Maybe a big vessel to bring that there at meron na lang depot na pwede bumili doon yung mga hardware stores na unti-unti nang nagbubukas sa Tacloban, at probably some parts of nearby Catbalogan and Calbayog,” she said.

She said they do not foresee any shortage in supplies as it is not peak season for the construction industry.

Use stronger materials

Cayanan of PAGASA said the country has to learn to adapt to the destructive effects of climate change, which are now more evident.

“Mas magiging intense yung mga bagyo habang tumataas yung temperatura ng environment lalung-lalo na yung karagatan. Adaptation na kasi hindi na natin mababago yung nature," she said.

Cayanan explained that the roofs of houses were blown away not just because of strong winds but also due to air pressure.

“Dahil sa may paparating na low pressure, sa loob naman ng bahay ay high pressure. Pag malaki ang diperensiya ng low at high, may vacuum na make-create sa loob ng bahay. Kaya ang unang tatalsik pataas kung walang outlet o butas na lalabasan para mag stabilize, to have an equal pressure, yung bubong,” she said.

She said the homeowners can open a window to serve as an outlet of the air pressure to prevent such incident.

Cayanan said if a resident living in a coastal area cannot leave or transfer his house, he should at least put another floor in anticipation of high tide.

She also advised the people to use materials that can withstand strong winds or rains. “Kung ang inyong lugar ay prone sa mga bagyo, kailangan mas stronger na materials na ang kailangan natin.”

Cayanan said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is now meeting with PAGASA to discuss the effect of strong winds on their towers and lines.

“Sabi nila ang tower nila can withstand 250 kph winds, e nasira, nag-topple down kasi may gustiness pa rin ang bagyo,” she said.

She added the state weather bureau is also teaming up with the University of the Philippines College of Engineering for the assessment of the strength of materials that can withstand strong winds. — KBK, GMA News