Duterte orders LGUs to inspect buildings

(Photo by Presidential Photo)
(Photo by Presidential Photo)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte ordered all local government units (LGUs) to inspect all buildings in their localities, following the recent earthquakes that struck some parts of Mindanao.

“Well, it is time for the LGUs to inspect all, all buildings. Umpisahan na nila ngayon (They must start right now). It’s a -- the earthquake season has come. I don’t know if it will occur again between now and tomorrow,” Duterte said in a press conference during his visit at his parent’s tomb at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Davao City on Thursday, October 31.

Duterte made his statement on the evening after the magnitude 6.5 struck in Tulunan, Cotabato, which also affected neighboring areas including Davao City.

Even the President himself experienced the quake as he was at home when the strong quake occurred.

He said he was asleep when the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and his personal nurse woke him when the earthquake occured.

“Well, there are cracks even as early as about three earthquakes ago. Every time it happens, may bagong crack (there is a new crack). Pero crack lang naman. Makita mo ng ano linya. (But it is just a crack. You can see it),” Duterte said, adding that PSG insisted that the PSG will ask the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and “structural engineers” of the City Government of Davao to have his residence inspected.

Meanwhile, he said LGUs must ensure the structural integrity of the buildings, especially those “not fit for human habitation”.

The President said he wanted to make sure that all facilities are “strong enough to withstand earthquakes”.

“Ang akin for those who are staying in buildings, structures that are not fit for human habitation, tingnan nilang mabuti because lalo na ‘yung mga may semento (they should thoroughly inspect it especially those that are cemented),” Duterte said.

Duterte’s order came a day before he leaves the country for his participation in the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits on November 2 to 4.

“The earthquake season has come. I don’t know if it will occur again between now and tomorrow. Ang problema nito, wala ako dito, sa Bangkok ako (The problem is I will not be around, I will fly to Bangkok) so I do not want disasters to happen when I am not around,” he said.

Meanwhile, the president’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also instructed the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to inspect all government-owned infrastructures to ensure the safety of the public.

Duterte-Carpio said she encouraged private building owners to conduct its own integrity structure inspection but she said they can tap the CEO for assistance. She said any recommendation and order issued by CEO must be followed.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of November 1, already recorded 16 deaths from Thursday’s quake while 403 were injured with two other still missing.

NDRRMC also recorded 3,220 infrastructure damages in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (RGL with reports from Sunnex)

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