CEBU, Philippines — Amidst the recent earthquakes in Luzon and in the Visayas, senatoriable Imee Marcos has urged the review of the country’s building standards.
Marcos, who was in Cebu yesterday for the gathering of the 1,500 members of the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines Inc., said there is a need to revisit the building standards as it is no longer relevant to the present weather situation.
“Dati yung mga buildings natin can withstand 7 magnitude quake. Pero ngayon ang earthquake umaabot na nang 7.5 magnitude. There is really a need to review this building code,” Marcos said.
Marcos also sees the need to immediately create a permanent agency to work on resiliency and disaster preparedness all year round not just during disasters.
“Maybe not a full-blown department right away because we do not have much resources pero at least something yung nakatutok palagi,” Marcos said. — GAN (FREEMAN)