THE Davao City Government and its partner agencies are looking into identifying possible fault lines in other districts in the city.
City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office head Alfredo Baluran said there will be another "Walk The Fault" activity to be conducted in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Office of Civil Defense-Davao to determine the exact location of the fault and inform the public, especially those who are living atop the fault line, of their vulnerability when these faults move.
On Monday, June 24, the agencies identified 60 barangays in danger since they transect in the five-segment Central Davao Fault System.
The fault system includes the Tamugan Fault with 25 kilometers (kms) length and can produce 6.7-magnitude earthquake; Lacson Fault with 33 kms and can trigger a 6.8-magnitude quake; 18-kilometer Dacudao Fault with 6.5-magnitude quake; Pangyan-Biao with 33 kms and 6.8-magnitude quake; and the 12-kilometer New Carmen Fault that may cause a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. All are part of the third district.
But Baluran said they are also going to look into the possibility of non-discovered existing fault lines in first and second districts.
"Phivolcs told me nga daw possible fault line diria sa may downtown areas (Phivolcs told me that there is a possible existence of fault lines here in downtown area)," said Baluran Thursday, June 27, during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao.
He said the City is looking into another "Walk The Fault" activity to ensure the accuracy of its disaster and risk reduction planning in times of earthquake.
"I got the chance to talk to (DOST Undersecretary Renato) Solidum before the activity last Monday. He said he is willing to send experts from Manila to join the continuation of the Walk The Fault in the city," Baluran said.
But he said it would still depend on the availability of the experts to conduct the study.
"As much as we wanted to set a timeframe, but of course their availability would still be considered," Baluran said.