WITH six active faults identified in the Davao City, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) released a map to help the Dabawenyos identify the onsite ground conditions.
The agency, on Wednesday, April 10, launched the Metro Davao Site Response Atlas at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, which aims to provide information in understanding the ground motion and site response during strong earthqaukes, which can be used to increase seismic resiliency of residential and medium-to-high rise buildings in the city.
According to the atlas, the active faults in Davao City are Lacson fault in Calinan District; Tamugan fault, New Carmen fault, and Colosas fault in Paquibato district; and the Dacudao fault and Biao Eskwela fault in Tugbok district.
Phivolcs said these are in "slowly increasing" populated areas.
"The map will give guidance especially on the specific designs that they will construct, since the design factor bears a huge factor in the stability of the building," Phivolcs Undersecretary Renato Solidum said.
The map has four types: Vs30 Model, Peak Ground Acceleration, Short Period Microzonation and Long Period Micronzonation of Metro Davao, that will be used by the local government units and the private sector.
Solidum said the Davao City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CDDRMO) will propose a resolution, to consider the map in the city's revision of the Comprehensive Land Use Program (CLUP).
CDDRMO chief Alfredo Baluran said the atlas will help the office in their operations, especially during disasters.
Baluran also said that they will still have to personally sitdown, to discuss other recommendations on the need for an ordinance for strictly implementation of no buildings nearby fault lines, specially in Mintal
Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) Cirinia Grace L. Catubig said that the atlas will also be implied in the office's proposal on the height limit of high rise buildings.