MARKING THE FAULT – MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino checks the stencil used in painting the marker identifying points that are part of the West Valley Fault. This is part of the MMDA and Phivolcs’ ‘Walk the Fault’’ activity which started yesterday in Barangay Pinagsamahan in Taguig City. The marking will also cover areas in Barangay Bagumbayan, Bagong Tanyag, Upper Bicutan, Lower Bicutan, Maharlika Village, Ususan, South DaangHari and North, as well as the Central and South Signal Village. (Camille Ante)The marking of the points where the West Valley Fault (WVF) intersect started in Taguig City yesterday and was led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) officials.
From the boundary of Barangays Pinagsama and North Signal, several spots were painted with West Valley Fault marker with the use of white reflectorized thermoplastic paint, which is also being used in Metro Manila’s pedestrian lanes.
“We hope it may serve as a daily reminder to the residents that they are residing near or along the fault and at the same time heighten their awareness to prepare for the unexpected,” said MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino. The markings can last up to five years.
According to Tolentino, knowing where the fault lies is the key to making appropriate plans and put in place effective contingency measures and disaster response system.
At least 12 barangays are situated over the fault line in Taguig: Bagumbayan, Bagong Tanyag, Upper Bicutan, Central Bicutan, Lower Bicutan, Maharlika Village, Pinagsama, North Signal Village, Central Signal Village, South Signal Village, Ususan and South Daang Hari.
Tolentino said they hope to paint the whole 100-km WVF from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan up to Cavite and Laguna as many of the arrow markings of the Phivolcs have already been erased.
Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, who supervised “Walk the Fault” activity, said they have started their preparations as early as 2010 and the Phivolcs’ Valley Fault System Atlas became instrumental in crafting their contingency plans.
Based on the city’s count of structures, there are 1,184 structures composed of households, institutions, and establishments from WVF centerline up to five meters; while there are 1,777 structures from the WVF centerline up to 10 meters.
They also have a master list of the residents that may be affected when an earthquake hits the city. Hospitals, private and government, open courts, open spaces, water refilling stations, grocery stores, rice retailers, pharmacies, mortuaries and gas stations have also been identified.
In the coming days, Cayetano said residents and establishment operators will be notified that they may be affected by the fault.
The residents are also welcome to ask the city engineering office about the structural integrity of their houses and assistance in the intervention and retrofitting.
“It is the duty of the local government to inform the constituents. The government cannot do it alone, people must also do their part. It’s a community effort,” said Cayetano, citing that some residents living in houses on top of the fault also fear for their lives but have chosen to stay.
When it comes to natural calamities, Cayetano said the local government is trying its best prepare – rescue team, medical team, quick response team and all so the constituents.
The active fault system consists of the 10-kilometer East Valley Fault and the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault has a potential of generating a magnitude-7.2 earthquake that can devastate Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum noted that people cannot predict when earthquake will strike but damages can be prevented or at least minimized through preparation and proper actions.