Engineers, architects urged to build quake-resistant houses

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2015/07/03/engineers-architects-urged-build-quake-resistant-houses-416862
• Friday, July 3, 2015

By Lydia C. Pendon

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) urged engineers and architects to help people build earthquake-proof houses, as it conducted a forum on earthquake risk reduction and disaster preparedness Friday.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum challenged engineers and architects to give back to their communities and get involved by designing and building houses that can withstand an earthquake.

Solidum was the main speaker in the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s second quarter meeting and earthquake disaster awareness forum held on July 3 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

He said there are technologies today that can help houses nearly earthquake-resistant and housing materials used, such as hollow blocks and reinforcement bars should also conform to safety measures.

The local government units (LGUs) must ensure house building safety even if it’s the building owner’s responsibility. The LGUs should help potential victims of earthquakes and protect the families as part of its governance development, he added.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) has a checklist on standard materials while the regional disaster risk reduction management council should lead in the survey of safe houses and buildings.

“The major goal is to develop governance and business buildings and houses must be earthquake-resistant”, the Philvolcs chief said.

Solidum also pointed out the presence of West Panay fault line, which is the major earthquake generator in Western Visayas.

The municipalities near the West Panay Fault are the towns of Ibajay, Malinao, Madalag in the province of Aklan; Pandan in Antique; Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz; and Lambunao, Janiuay, Maasin, Alimodian, Tubungan, Leon, Igbaras, Miagao and San Joaquin in the province of Iloilo.

However, warning is up in Iloilo City, Kalibo in Aklan, Roxas City in Capiz and San Jose in Antique as these areas have rivers prone to liquefaction and possible road fissures. Where there are rivers, there is liquefaction underground that may start ground rupture and ground shaking to earthquakes and landslides.

Solidum also said that Western Visayas tsunamis are mostly related to earthquakes, adding that southern Iloilo and Antique may have tsunamis two to four meters high.