At the MCEM launch… 

Self-check your house stability 

against earthquakes -Phivolcs 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol July 7 (PIA)—With the right tool to guide home-owners and builders of the necessary measures to make sure their residences and buildings survive an earthquake, all one needs to do is to self-check if the contractors did conform with the minimum construction standards set by the government. 

Department of Science and Technology Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) undersecretary for disaster and risk reduction management Dr. Renato Solidum bared this during the recent launching of the Metro Cebu Earthquake Model atlas at the DepED Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City. 

DOST Regional Director Engr. Edilberto Paradela, in his opening remarks, reminded everyone attending the launch that earthquakes forces of nature which are beyond man to predict. 

But he added, we may not be able to stop earthquakes from happening, we have God given talents that allow us to respond and minimize the hazards. 

MCEM is one of such measures. 

MCEM is a seismic ground motion hazard assessment reference maps that may be used in determining the best seismic movement-resilient design for buildings and structures in a bid to mitigate risks from loss of lives and damage of property when an earthquake occurs in the specific area, explains the multi-awarded scientist and Lingkod Bayan awardee Dr. Solidum. 

A product of collaborative efforts and expertise of geologists, engineers, seismologists, DOST Phivolcs researchers and disaster emergency responders as well as the academe, the MCEM is said to be an offshoot of the Philippine Earthquake Model which Phivolcs launched early this year, according to DOST Phivolcs. 

The model now gives planners an idea how much they would need to prepare so that their buildings can withstand the ground movement caused by the earthquake and prevent any collapse or substantial damage that can cause loss of lives or damage of property, Solidum bared. 

Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Council Chair Evelyn Nacario-Castro, who has also lent support to the MCEM explained the help that the atlas provides for Cebu. 

Now, we have this feeling that we do not scare people with the information available, because science is telling us we can prepare for earthquakes by strengthening our built-infrastructure for a more resilient Cebu. 

In the recent years, with the earthquake model data available, the National Building Code and the Structural Code of the Philippines mandates all constructions especially those that use concrete hollow blocks (CHB) to use the 6 inches (150mm) thick and reinforced with 10mm diameter horizontal and vertical steel bars spaced at 60 mm and 10 mm steel bars spaced at 40cms for more stable and stronger structures. 

Older constructions in the Philippines use 4 inches concrete hollow blocks and 6mm vertical steel bars spaced at 90 cms and 6 mm steel bars spaced at 60 mm for its horizontal ties, according to the Phivolcs which did assessments on earthquake-damaged houses and buildings. 

In the Philippines too, Solidum said for reasons that homeowners want cheaper construction, there is a tendency to cost-save, this is risky especially in areas prone to earthquakes. 

That too was in the absence of a reference as to how potentially strong is the earthquake that could hit their areas. 

In some instance too, homeowners who have no idea of the building standards just accept anything the contractors turn over, even if such use sub-standard materials, because contractors themselves are not aware of re risks. 

DOST Phivolcs has also released a hollow-block built self-check for earthquake safety; a 12 point criteria to allow homeowners to better understand and evaluate the stability of their houses in the face of a strong earthquake, according to Dr. Solidum. 

The MCEM and the PEM has just made that information easily available. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

LGU representatives and private sector group leaders including the academe receive a copy of the Matro Cebu Earthquake Model maps, which can be used by local planners and builders in guiding them about how to reinforce their buildings which would be erected in earthquake prove areas. DOST Phivolcs said with the tool, homeowners now need to check the stability of their houses based on the hazard map, and fortify these according to the threats. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)