SCIENCE and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. urged the public to be vigilant for the long-anticipated “Big One,” warning that it could have far more severe consequences than the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8.
In a statement Tuesday, Solidum clarified that the expected earthquake from the West Valley fault in Manila is projected to have a magnitude of 7.2, lower than the temblor in Southern Mindanao.
He noted, however, that the epicenter of the earthquake in Mindanao was offshore; hence, only a few areas experienced strong shaking.
“But if that had happened on land, more buildings would have collapsed or been destroyed, making it far more dangerous. Metro Manila is heavily populated compared to the Soccsksargen area, and that is where we would see the severity of the impact,” he said.
This, he noted, could claim the lives of over 30,000 in Metro Manila and about 20,000 in nearby provinces.
To reduce the devastation, Solidum said it is important for the public to ensure that houses being built comply with the building code and that existing infrastructure is inspected and evaluated to determine whether they need retrofitting.
“If it is determined that it won't collapse and actually complies with the building code, the most dangerous elements then are the parts or fixtures of the building, or furniture, that could topple over or shatter and cause injury or death,” he said.
Solidum emphasized the importance of "duck" or "drop, cover, and hold” as well as taking shelter in a safe place.
“The very first thing you need to secure is your body and your head to prevent them from being hit by falling debris,” he said.
Solidum added that the Manila Trench could be a potential source of the earthquake, instead of the West Valley Fault, which could create a more devastating scenario than the one that struck Sarangani.
The Sarangani earthquake has a depth of 33 kilometers and is along the Cotabato Trench. The June 8 earthquake recorded a total of 6,233 aftershocks as of 3 p.m. on June 15, with magnitudes ranging from 1.2 to 6.4; 1,496 were plotted, and 78 were felt.
