The chances of survival from an earthquake increase if buildings comply with the National Building Code, said an expert.
“‘Yung mga condo, gusali, building, kung sinunod ang building code, dapat magse-sway lang ‘yan at hindi magko-collapse,” UP Resilience Institute Executive Director Mahar Lagmay told dzMM Teleradyo.
The Republic Act No. 6541, or the National Building Code, provides a framework of minimum standards and requirements mandated for all buildings and structures, controlling their location, site, design, quality of material, construction, use, occupancy and maintenance.
Lagmay explained that buildings that do not comply with the minimum standard set by the law have a higher chance of collapsing during an earthquake, which could lead to individuals’ entrapment inside.
He said a building can withstand a strong earthquake — like the projected magnitude 7.2 “Big One” earthquake that may strike Metro Manila should the West Valley Fault move — if it was built with no shortcuts or corruption of funds.
Lagmay noted that the buildings and structures built without consultation with engineers and other professionals are at high risk when the “Big One” comes.
“‘Yung mga kanya-kanyang gawa, lalo na sa lugar na ang tawag nila, lego, tinatayo na lang dahil kailangan nilang magtayo, pagkikitaan, pero hindi namo-monitor ng mabuti,” he said.
The executive director underscored that 30,000 individuals are expected to die within the first five minutes of the earthquake, as Intensities 7 and 8 are expected to be felt.
According to Lagmay, Intensity 6 was the highest experienced in Metro Manila, which was during the 1990 earthquake.
“So hindi pa rin natin naranasan ‘yung Intensity 7 ‘tsaka 8,” he said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said that the informal settler families are most at risk during the “Big One” because they reside in buildings constructed with no permits and inspection by the local government units.
In 2023, architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr. already suggested revising the National Building Code to remove houses built on top of faults and require a wider distance between high-rise buildings. (ABS-CBN News)