𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇-𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒
The Cebu Provincial Government will formally communicate with at least 10 local government units (LGUs) identified as among the most vulnerable to high-magnitude earthquakes in the province, urging them to assess the structural integrity of public and private buildings and strengthen compliance with earthquake-resilient building standards.
The move aims to support disaster preparedness at the local level by encouraging LGUs to identify structures that require retrofitting or replacement based on scientific risk assessments and existing building regulations.
“Disaster resilience is not achieved through response alone. It requires strong institutions, informed planning, scientific understanding of risks, and sustained collaboration among all sectors,” Governor Pamela Baricuatro said.
The initiative was adopted as an action point during the second quarter meeting of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) presided over by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who chairs the council, on Monday, June 29, at the Capitol.
“We do an effort to assess the buildings, classify buildings for retrofitting, identify structures that can’t withstand a Magnitude 7 earthquake,” said Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano, who moved for the adoption of the measure.
The proposal came in response to a presentation by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) on five simulated Earthquake Impact Calculations for Cebu.
The simulations were generated using the Earthquake Impact Assessment Module, a specialized component of the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) developed by PHIVOLCS. The module is designed to simulate earthquake ground shaking and rapidly estimate potential physical damage, casualties, and economic losses following a major earthquake.
Among the five earthquake scenarios presented, the simulations involving the South Cebu Fault and the Central Cebu Fault were identified as the most concerning.
According to Engr. Robinson Jorgio, director of the DOST-PHIVOLCS 7 Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami, both fault lines are “currently classified as a potentially active.”
DOST-PHIVOLCS also presented a ranking of LGUs projected to be most severely affected under the simulated earthquake scenarios.
In response, the Capitol will ask the identified LGUs to revisit the condition of all public and private structures within their jurisdictions and determine whether these comply with the National Building Code and are capable of withstanding strong earthquakes. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝑳𝑷, 𝑨𝑹𝑱
Check this also: Cebu to Host National PESO Congress in 2026 as Managers Seek Capitol Support
