AUTHORITIES are taking steps to cushion the impact should the “Big One,” a major earthquake event, strike.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working hand in hand with local government units (LGUs) to improve safety standards in public and private structures.

To strengthen public infrastructure, the DPWH is also carrying out retrofitting projects under the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project, a report by Philippine Star said.

This program, supported by the World Bank, focuses on upgrading public roads and facilities to make them safer during earthquakes.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan emphasized that the DPWH is mainly responsible for checking and ensuring that government buildings and public infrastructure can stand strong during seismic events.

The goal is to improve infrastructure resilience across the country, Bonoan said.

Bonoan is confident that many private buildings are already built with careful and conservative designs, prepared for earthquakes that could reach up to 7.8 magnitude.

He shared that the DPWH is now working on strengthening public roads and infrastructure as part of the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project, with support from the World Bank.

He added that it is the responsibility of LGUs to ensure that high-rise buildings within their jurisdictions comply with seismic resilience parameters.(Loremie T. Bustria, CTU-TC Intern)

• Tags
• #Big One
• #Major Earthquake
• #Department of Public Works and Highways
• #DPWH
• #Local Government Units
• #Retrofitting
• #Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project