Iloilo city: All local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) in Western Visayas, down to the barangay level, have been directed to assess the structural integrity of buildings and other critical infrastructure facilities within their jurisdiction. Regional DRRMC chair and Civil Defense Director for Western Visayas Raul Fernandez signed Memorandum Order No. 69 following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu, that affected almost the entire region on Tuesday evening.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fernandez stated that the assessment is crucial to ensure public safety. "All concerned agencies, offices, and stakeholders are hereby enjoined to coordinate with the provincial/city/municipal engineering office, the Office of the Building Official, and the local DRRMO to ensure that inspections are carried out systematically and in accordance with established safety standards," the order stated. The inspection aims to determine the extent of damage sustained by public and private structures, identify facilities posing immediate risks to public safety, recommend appropriate actions for repair, retrofitting, or condemnation, and consolidate reports for higher authorities to guide response and recovery measures.
In Iloilo City, work at the city hall resumed at 10 a.m. on Wednesday after inspectors from the Office of the Building Official (OBO), Facility Conservation Office, and the City Engineer's Office declared the main and annex buildings "safe for occupancy" after a thorough inspection. "The safety of our employees and the public remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor and ensure the integrity of our government facilities," Mayor Raisa Tre±as said in a statement.
Classes at all levels in both public and private schools were suspended to allow for a thorough inspection and assessment of school facilities and other public structures. Tre±as urged all business establishments to report any observed effects of the recent earthquake on their buildings or structures. "All reports will be endorsed to the Office of the Building Official for assessment of the structural integrity of the buildings. Your cooperation is vital in ensuring the safety of your establishments, employees, and the general public," the mayor stated.
Meanwhile, aerial and ground inspection continues at the provincial capitol. Iloilo PDRRM office chief for the administrative and training division, Alfonso Baldonado III, mentioned they might not recommend the resumption of office work in the afternoon to ensure safety. "The first 24 hours after the first shake is the critical period. Mostly, some aftershocks are even stronger than the initial quake," he explained in an interview.
He added that all major cracks found from the first to the sixth floor of the building were measured and cataloged, which will serve as baseline data for similar incidents in the future. Governor Arthur Defensor Jr on Tuesday evening urged mayors of municipalities with high-rise structures to assess their structural integrity following the strong earthquake. He also advised suspending work in these buildings and classes in schools with three- to four-story structures if necessary to ensure public safety.
