LGUs given 90 days to submit building, infrastructure assessment report
Published Feb 26, 2020 12:00 am
By Aaron Recuenco
Local government units (LGUs) nationwide were given 90 days to submit the assessment of buildings and other infrastructure in their respective areas, a top government official said Wednesday.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said those who fail to comply are considered negligent of their obligation and could face administrative cases.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año (DILG / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Local government units are expected to submit the structural assessment of the buildings and structures 90 days from today," Año said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The assessment report, he said, must be submitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Año was joined by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danny Lim, and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa in a press briefing about the government’s disaster preparedness.
Año explained that the compliance of LGU's is essential since what is at stake is the safety of their constituents amid the threat of earthquakes and other calamities that regularly hit the country.
In giving the order, Año said he is not inclined to punish LGU's if the compliance is delayed. "This is more of fast-tracking the assessment because it is really important in our disaster preparation and response."
In preparation for the so-called Big One (strong earthquake in Metro Manila), Villar said they are continuously conducting the assessment and inspection of public infrastructures.
"Our assessment comes with funding and retrofitting plans for structures that need to be reinforced. This is a continuing process," he said.
Villar said the assessment is expanded to nearby regions. In fact, he said there are nearly 6,000 public structures currently being assessed.
Lopez, for his part, said they are focused on the preventive aspect by ensuring the full compliance with international standards in constructing buildings and other infrastructure.
"We tapped the Philippine National Police to identify and conduct operations against hardware stores which sell substandard products," Lopez said.
Nearly 50,000 people are expected to die in Metro Manila and nearby provinces if the Big One strikes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Almost all of the deaths and injuries, according to Phivolcs, would be due to collapsed structures.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año (DILG / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Local government units are expected to submit the structural assessment of the buildings and structures 90 days from today," Año said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The assessment report, he said, must be submitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Año was joined by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danny Lim, and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa in a press briefing about the government’s disaster preparedness.
Año explained that the compliance of LGU's is essential since what is at stake is the safety of their constituents amid the threat of earthquakes and other calamities that regularly hit the country.
In giving the order, Año said he is not inclined to punish LGU's if the compliance is delayed. "This is more of fast-tracking the assessment because it is really important in our disaster preparation and response."
In preparation for the so-called Big One (strong earthquake in Metro Manila), Villar said they are continuously conducting the assessment and inspection of public infrastructures.
"Our assessment comes with funding and retrofitting plans for structures that need to be reinforced. This is a continuing process," he said.
Villar said the assessment is expanded to nearby regions. In fact, he said there are nearly 6,000 public structures currently being assessed.
Lopez, for his part, said they are focused on the preventive aspect by ensuring the full compliance with international standards in constructing buildings and other infrastructure.
"We tapped the Philippine National Police to identify and conduct operations against hardware stores which sell substandard products," Lopez said.
Nearly 50,000 people are expected to die in Metro Manila and nearby provinces if the Big One strikes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Almost all of the deaths and injuries, according to Phivolcs, would be due to collapsed structures.