Ilocos Norte Governor Imme Marcos /CDND File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The damage caused by the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Luzon on Monday was an indication of the need to revisit the already “outdated” Building Code of the Philippines.
“In the middle of the build, build, build project, we have to assess what are we building? Is this in accordance with the already outdated building code,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos in a recent Cebu visit.
Marcos said that while local governments try to be disaster resilient, there was also a need to determine if existing building regulations remain at par with the present needs.
Building designs should be made to withstand stronger ground shaking that is now experienced in some parts of the country, she said.
Meanwhile, Marcos said that there was also a need to identify fault lines in each of the localities so that residents can be warned of imminent danger on their safety.
“Cebu is located within the Bohol fault line. This has to be reviewed because it changes apparently. We need better education so that people along these areas will be better informed,” she said.
Governor Marcos is also pushing for the creation of an office that will oversee disaster preparedness in the country.
“Maybe just a task force with more serious powers,” she said.
“It’s not easy to plan. You can’t make it politics. You have to plan according to science,” Marcos added.