RDC wants disaster resilient

tech in CV houses, buildings

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—In the disaster prone region of the Central Visayas, the Regional Development Council (RDC) endorses the use of low cost but tested technology to strengthen foundation-less houses and withstand calamities.

The technology, called the Column Footing Grade Beam Monolith (CFGBM) is an isolated reinforced concrete footing positioned at each corner of the house, with a plinth beam connecting the sides for added stability.

A technology resulting from a Habitat for Humanity International (HHI) commissioned study to come up with a non-invasive structural intervention for built houses, CFGBM can withstand a 6.5 magnitude earthquake and 200 kph winds.

It is easy to install and can be added to an already standing structure, is compatible with concrete hollow block construction, cost effective, and uses readily available local materials, according to Argeo Melissimo, of the Development Administration Committee of the RDC.

CFGBM is simply a specific type of construction foundation system that connects isolated reinforced concrete footings at each column with a continuous plinth beam on a one-pour concept, creating a monolithic structure.

This design enhances stability and load distribution, making it suitable for structures needing to withstand seismic activity and strong winds, claims the RDC DAC.

This technology helps distribute the load borne like walls and when it is distributed in the plinth beam, it also stabilizes the floors and the general surface solving problems like wall shear, according to Engr. Christopher Manug.

With this ingenious technology that can be adapted for construction in the region, the RDC led by Bohol governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado saw that if houses and structures in Central Visayas use the technology, the region could have more disaster resilient communities.

Now, the RDC thinks that if national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, environment professionals, architects and civil engineers use the technology as an appropriate solution, low-income households which are finding ways to strengthen their houses and can build this easy-to-install and cost-effective foundation retrofits, that can safeguard the region’s residents from earthquakes and storms.

For this, the Aumentado-led council recommended to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), including its attached agencies, to consider adopting the technology in their housing guidelines and programs, activities and projects, and consider offering financing options for its implementation.

Aumentado, who is also implementing a family-funded house for the poor in Bohol, showed interest in the technology.

“We will see if we can incorporate the technology in the Libreng Alagad Ug Balay (LAB) funded by the Aumentado’s Balay sa Paglaum program,” he shared to the council.

The council also requested the Office of the Civil Defense Central Office and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to consider funding proposals from LGUs on the use of the technology for retrofitting houses as a disaster risk reduction measure under the Calamity Fund.

Finally, the RDC-CV also requested the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) to consider offering financing options for implementing the technology. (RAHC/PIA-7/Bohol)

FOR CONSIDERATION. DPWH regional Director Engr Danilo Villa Jr., commits to further make studies on the technology for disaster resilient houses, even as the RDC intends to popularize the technology by proposing financing options so foundation-less houses and low income families can avail of the technology. (PIABohol)