The 2017 Batangas Earthquakes and “The Big One”

Every construction company in the Philippines must implement stricter guidelines with regards to following the National Building Code. And they must apply it “word-for-word” on each building, bridge or house they construct. This law was again on the spotlight because of the two recent quakes that hit Batangas on April 4 and 8; epicenters are in Tingloy and Mabini respectively. The first tremor felt at Intensity VI (5.5 magnitude) and the last one was twin tremors with an intensity of seven (5.6 and 6.0 magnitude), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports.

As expected, properties were damaged such as the historic church of Taal Basilica, Hotel Camp Netanya (Resort), Mabini General Hospital, Anilao Market, residential houses, among others. Of course, the most affected were the locals when the natural disaster fell upon the area. Thousands of innocent lives had to be evacuated and one male was injured in Mabini, Batangas. Yes, it was only one individual but we shouldn’t take this lightly anymore.

The two recent quakes proved that accidents do happen anytime and anywhere. In an article in Philippine Star, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) stressed that earthquakes are unpredictable. It could happen in a province like Batangas or a crowded megalopolis like Metro Manila. Do you still remember “the Big One”? Although, Renato Solidum, Jr., director of Phivolcs, reassures the public the previous incidents won’t trigger such catastrophic event, it is still possible, he says on Philippine Star.

What actually is “the Big One”? According to Department of Science and Technology (DOST), it is an earthquake with a 7.2 magnitude that will be generated by the 100 km long West Valley Fault that runs through Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna. Here’s a detailed map from Rappler:

Source: Rappler.com

How destructive is a 7.2 magnitude earthquake is? In terms of properties, Rappler provided rough estimates as follows:

Residential buildings = 25.6% partly damaged; 12.7% heavily damaged
Mid-rise buildings = 27% partly damaged; 11% heavily damaged
High-rise buildings = 12% partly damaged; 2% heavily damaged
Public-purpose buildings = 20-25% partly damaged; 8-10% heavily damaged

As for casualties, it will take 33,500 lives; additional 18,000 due to fire break outs and 113,600 could be injured. It could leave 3.15 million people homeless as well. What a heart-wrenching scenario it would be.

The question now is: Are we ready for it? Apparently, there is so much work to do such as retrofitting buildings and infrastructures to make it earthquake-proof. If only the hired construction company in the Philippines did a terrific job at the start of the project.

And, as always, the infamous ‘blame game’ ensues. Who should be held responsible? The government, the owner of the property, the one who issued the building permit or the construction company based in the Philippines? The question should not be “who” but “when”. When will we start rolling up our sleeves and get our hands dirty?

Conducting an earthquake drill is like getting a minor vaccine for something so severe as “the Big One.” We have to face the sad, bitter reality that a “duck/drop, cover and hold” is not enough the moment a 7.2 magnitude quake strikes. Everyone should take part on preparing for it because it is a threat to our national security and not just in a regional level. It could also trample down our economy and take many lives.