BGC near faultline, Antipolo has steep slope: Where can Senate relocate?

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) chief Renato Solidum on Thursday advised Senate to relocate because its current location was part of the tsunami prone area in Metro Manila.

"If the earthquake if offshore, there can be a tsunami in the beach area. Again, this Senate building is part of the tsunami prone area in Metro Manila," said Solidum in a report by Jam Sisante on "24 Oras."

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Accounts Committee, asked Solidum which is better between Antipolo and Fort Bonifacio if they pushed through with the plan to relocate.

"Tama po kailangan niyo mag-transfer. This is now the important thing. The hazard is different from the risk. So even if for example you say that the BGC has a nearby fault than Antipolo... Antipolo also has a steep slope. Depende kung saan po kayo sa Antipolo," Solidum explained.

"But the risk to the structure is dependent on the design of the structure of the building so pwede naman kayo sa BGC, pwede rin sa Antipolo," he added.

Solidum noted that there should also be a plan for other government offices once an earthquake or other natural disaster hit their areas.

"We should avoid having a leadership vacuum after a major event... Office of the President, Senate, Congress, House of Representatives," Solidum said.

Meanwhile, Lacson pointed out the importance of having a "practical contingency" as natural disasters are considered as one of the national security issues.

"Sa United States may tinatawag na designated survivor diba... merong ineexempt sila kapag merong gathering of all the leaders... meron silang sinesave na isa as the designated na survivor just in case the almost impossible thing would happen but we should also have a contingency similar to that practice," Lacson said.

Since 1997, the Senate has been renting a portion of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building which is near Manila Bay, the report said.

The report added that the rent has reached P170 million per year. —NB, GMA News