A LOT OF bridges and roads in Panay Island got damaged when Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” struck. This should prompt local government units and concerned government agencies to conduct an immediate evaluation of the structural integrity of critical structures. Are they strong enough to withstand raging floodwaters and, of course, earthquakes?
We cannot predict when devastating floodwaters or earthquakes will occur, therefore, we must always be prepared. And the best protection is sound engineering practice.
It is a must that we immediately revisit our construction standards, codes and practices. We must examine them now and correct any deficiencies.
The evaluation and retrofitting of infrastructure, especially bridges, roads, even hospitals and schools, must be done regularly to ensure that they can withstand strong floodwaters and earthquakes. Yes, we must ensure the safety of our schools and hospitals.
A guidebook on the promotion of disaster mitigation, which was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), revealed that the cost of disaster-proofing a hospital or health facility by incorporating comprehensive disaster protection from earthquake and extreme climatic events into designs from the beginning will only add 4% to the cost of construction.
This cost is nothing compared to the risk of destruction and death of patients and staff during a disaster, and the equally high health, economic and development impacts in the aftermath.
Authorities must act now. They must consult structural engineers and assess the vulnerability of bridges, roads, schools and hospital structures, among others, to raging floodwaters and earthquakes, and institute immediate measures to strengthen parts found weak and likely to collapse.
This lesson we must accept: Prevention is cost-effective. We should likewise ensure that our homes and offices, shopping malls and public buildings, and heritage sites are able to withstand strong earthquakes. We must ensure proper and safe construction.
