After every natural disaster, answering the first cry of help always falls on the shoulders of the local government units. In the case of earthquakes, the first victims of the disaster are almost always because of damaged structures. As a government official, it is only right to take heed of this and make advanced and appropriate preventive measures regarding structures.
In a statement made by Vice-President Leni Robredo in early January this year, she strongly urged the local government to invest in strengthening the infrastructures of their locality. Structures, especially residential buildings and work places, should be able to withstand and protect its residents during disasters. Preparations for disasters should always include preventive measures. VP Robredo especially noted that these kind of projects are more significant that those that lack “far-reaching” effects on the citizens’ lives.
“Iyong infrastructure na kailangang ipatayo, isipin iyong mas pangmatagalan…. Mas mahalaga iyon kaysa doon sa mga maliliit na mga projects na hindi far-reaching iyong effects. Kaya sana iyong pagdedesisyon ng paglalaanan ng pera ng gobyerno, iyong iniisip iyong pangmatagalan na makakatulong sa buhay ng mga residente – hindi lang iyong nakikita, pero iyong nararamdaman talaga ng lahat,” Robredo stated.
(Infrastructures that need to be built should last for a long time… It is more vauable than those small projects without far-reaching effects. [We] Hope that in your decision of allocating government funds, you’d think of what can aid the lives of the residents the longest- not only projects that you can see but what can really be felt by all.)
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, in addition, advised, affected government units to spend wisely on disaster planning, risk management, and not hesitate on spending “calamity funds for disaster preparedness.”
After the series of major quakes hitting the country, an extremely valuable element of disaster preparation is to limit developments in disaster-prone areas, to identify evacuation areas and relocation sites, and to strictly implement The National Building Code of the Philippines. This was set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as a precautionary measure and, consequently, as building compliance. Security is the core of the building code which directly affects the Filipinos’ lives, health, and property in any disaster.
These are the steps that could potentially save lives, reduce impact, and strengthen disaster resilience. The provisions of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 as embodied in the Republic Act 10121 is a pro-active measure that gives importance to mitigation and preparation. This law, according to Sen. Angara, gave the government the capacity to strengthen its disaster risk and reduction management. To build disaster resilient communties with capable buildings, effective contingency plans, and agile local responders is its ultimate goal.
The series of quakes heavily jolted the awareness and response of the government and its citizens. It aptly called for the review of infrastructure audits to take appropriate measures and to conduct Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) drives in local communities. Infrastructure audits and building code compliance called significantly for the presence of Earthquake Recording Instruments (ERI) in the monitoring of the structures’ integrity.
ERIs are part of The National Building Code for a signifant number of government facilities and certain private infrastructures. More than code compliance, ERIs should have the greater purpose of saving lives through constant monitoring, earthquake alarm warning, and assisting stakeholders in making decisions about restructuring and business continuation.
This is exactly what USHER (Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System) can offer. Going beyond monitoring of the structure’s integrity, USHER also gives an and efficient insight into the effects of nature to man-made structures. With its 24/7 web portal and other valuable features, USHER can effectively assist government units and private facilities in strengthening and in building more disaster resilient infrastructures.