The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday urged construction firms and the general public to strictly obey safety standards in building houses and establishments, instead of worrying about when the next major earthquake strikes.
In an interview with the Manila Standard, Phivolcs director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol emphasized that the Philippines, like many countries, is geographically situated in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” which makes it prone to earthquakes due to the presence of multiple active volcanoes.
“No need to worry. Instead, we should prepare by following the minimum engineering standards, building codes, joining drills, etc.,” Dr. Bacolcol advised.
The ‘Ring of Fire’ refers to a string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity, or earthquakes, around the edges of the Pacific Ocean. It is home to 75% of the world’s volcanoes and 90% of its earthquakes, according to the National Geographic.
There are many countries and land areas in this tectonic belt such as Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Japan, the United States of America, Chile, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Peru, Solomon Islands, Mexico and the continent of Antarctica.
Dr. Bacolcol said the ‘duck, cover and hold’ routine—a staple in earthquake preparedness campaigns—would be futile if the building or house collapses during seismic events due to lapses in engineering design and other requirements.
The public and private sector must follow the minimum engineering standards as the best precautionary measure to prepare for the so-called ‘Big One,’ according to the Phivolcs chief.
On Thursday, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Pugo, La Union and shook neighboring Baguio City. The tremor was classified as moderately strong with intensities felt at its epicenter and nearby areas, forcing many local government units to suspend classes and office work.
