Cotabato infrastructure assessed by UP-CoE after quakes

MANILA, Philippines — A team of engineers from the University of the Philippines-College of Engineering (UP-CoE), headed by dean Ferdie Manegdeg, ensured the safety of Mindanaoans right after a series of earthquakes and strong aftershocks hit Cotabato province recently. 

Immediately after the devastation, the Manegdeg-led contingent of volunteers from the UP-CoE rushed to aid the hard-hit Kidapawan City and Makilala municipality by conducting needed structural assessment of vital infrastructure and facilities. 

“As representatives of the premier State University, it is our important duty and responsibility to genuinely serve the people by providing the necessary support and assistance based on our competence and expertise,” dean Manegdeg said. 

According to Manegdeg, the free services by UP-CoE were carried out in coordination with the provincial and municipal local government units and the team inspected 20 main structures from Nov. 9 to 11, determining whether these could be reoccupied, restricted, or declared off-limits. 

Among those examined were government and office buildings, gymnasiums, evacuation centers, hotels, commercial establishments, condominiums and a bridge. 

In Kidapawan City, one building was assessed safe to be reoccupied, 10 buildings were restricted from access and three declared off-limits. In Makilala, three buildings were restricted from access and two declared off-limits, including the municipal hall after serious damage was detected on the columns in its basement. Tuluan Bridge was also checked and determined that the integrity of its structural frame was not compromised, but cracks on the abutment must be repaired. 

Aside from dean Manegdeg, other team members were civil engineers Jaime Hernandez Jr., Eric Augustus Tingatinga, Jihan Pacer, Julius Rey Baniqued, and geodetic engineer Christian Candido who worked with Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza; Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista; Makilala Mayor Armando Quibod; Kidapawan City administrator Lou Mayormita; and local engineers led by Silverio Teofilo Jr. and Gilmor Catacutan of Kidapawan, and Alfredo Enero of Makilala. 

Structural damage assessment remains to be an immediate need when disasters strike to ascertain the integrity and safety of structures that would rationalize evacuations. 

The voluntary initiatives by the UP-CoE were supported by UP regent, lawyer Frederick Mikhail Farolan; Office of the UP President; Cebu Pacific through its vice president for corporate affairs Paterno Mantaring Jr., director for aeropolitcal affairs Khristian Alvaera, and director for corporate communications Charo Lagamon, as well as Gilda Asuncion Manegdeg.