In the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck Nepal in April this year, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has urged the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prioritize the relocation of QC residents whose houses were built in areas transected by the West Valley Fault.
The Mayor said he understands that both agencies are giving priority to the relocation of informal settler families occupying waterways, but it is also imperative that utmost attention should be given for the immediate transfer of the West Valley families to areas away from the fault line.
“Nakakalungkot po dahil inuuna kasi ay iyong mga pamilya na nanggagaling mula sa waterways,” said the Mayor.
Already, the Mayor urged the NHA and DILG to start issuing relocation notices to the families, whose houses are within the danger zone along the West Valley Fault, to ensure their safety.
The Mayor’s order for relocation was based on the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) that warns of a powerful earthquake that may originate at the West Valley Fault.
To date, the city government, on orders of the Mayor, has already discouraged the construction of structures within the 5 meter-wide borders or buffer zone on both sides of the fault, which runs along the periphery of the city through the eastern boundary.
In 2013, the city identified at least 700 property owners residing within the five meter- wide buffer zone recommended by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). (Precy)
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
