00:00President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is urging all government agencies to have a long-term solution to prepare for the big one.
00:10This is Kenneth Paciente's report.
00:14Following the strong earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand, the Philippines' neighboring country,
00:20the government is now more than twice as ready to prepare for the possible impact of the big one on the country.
00:26According to the Department of Public Works and Highways,
00:29they are continuing their assessments in their homes, schools, bridges and other structures
00:35to ensure that they are safe in the event of a strong earthquake.
00:39In fact, they are now focused on retrofitting, especially in Metro Manila,
00:43to ensure that they are ready for the impact of the big one.
00:47So, as of today, we have already assessed more than 21,000 public buildings.
00:53We will recommend a lot of these for retrofitting.
00:58But we have already finished retrofitting.
01:01Retrofitting means to raise the standards for the international earthquake standards.
01:10The DPWH is also providing technical assistance to the Transportation Department
01:14to ensure the structural integrity of the railway transits.
01:19We need to consult the DOTR. They are in charge of the MRT and LRT.
01:26But if they ask us for help, to help their employees
01:31and assess the structural integrity of the infrastructure, including ports and airports,
01:38we are ready to help.
01:40They have their own technical team.
01:43And sometimes, they ask us, especially in the review of the plans
01:48and assessment of their infrastructure.
01:51The agency's 2,000 equipment is also distributed,
01:55as well as their other quick response assets, as part of their contingency plan.
02:00The DOST and PHEVOCS are also conducting a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill
02:06to prepare Filipinos for the possible impact of the big one.
02:10The OECD has also given an OCD that does not end when it comes to dock, cover, and hold.
02:16If not, the integrity of the houses and buildings should be ensured for the safety of everyone.
02:20That is why the permit should be issued to the houses to be built.
02:24The local governments are also helping with this.
02:27And it is ensured that they comply with the building code.
02:30The houses to be built should comply with the strict provisions of the building code.
02:37It should be strong enough to withstand the magnitude of the earthquake, up to 8.5 magnitude.
02:44So, the houses to be built, that is what our Office of the President is asking for.
02:49Our LGUs are primarily involved in this.
02:54We need to be sure that they will give the construction permits correctly.
02:59And the occupancy permits should also be correct, meaning that the plan was made.
03:05Because the plan is different from the implementation.
03:07President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is also urging all agencies to have a long-term solution in preparing for the big one.
03:15Kenneth Paciente for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
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