Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered her officials to inspect the structural integrity of buildings in the city following the series of tremors that rocked Batanes province on Saturday.
“Inutusan ko na ang building officials na i-check ang stability ng mga buildings natin para malaman namin kung alin ang dapat i-condemn na at kung ano ang kailangan ng retrofitting,” Belmonte said in an interview following the city’s participation in the 5th national earthquake drill at UP Technohub in Diliman on Saturday.
In the interview, Belmonte declared the city’s readiness to deal with any natural disaster. But though the City has enough equipment and the capability to deal with natural disasters, Belmonte said there is still a need to further beef up resources so as not to leave anything to chance.
“Praktisado na kami. Ilang beses na naming nagagawa (itong drill)… Pero puwede pang dagdagan para ang mga distrito natin, mayroon ding resources,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte thanked her precedessor, former Mayor Herbert Bautista, for his valuable role in modernizing the city’s disaster response capabilities.
“The credit goes to Mayor Herbert kasi siya talaga ang nagpa-modernize nito,” said Belmonte.
Belmonte also lauded the private sector for their valuable contribution to the success of the earthquake drill even as she expressed readiness to help businesses craft their own disaster plan so they will be prepared for any eventuality.
“May plano ako na kapag nagre-renew sila ng business permits, may checklist sana kung saan malalaman natin kung mayroon silang disaster plan. Para iyong mga wala, aalalayan namin na magkaroon para 100 percent magkaroon ng disaster plan,” Belmonte said.
During the earthquake drill, Belmonte was joined by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology head Renato Solidum.
Lim, for his part, was impressed by Quezon City’s overwhelming response to the drill, especially from barangay officials, volunteer groups, residents and the private sector.### (Abbey Malvar, Quezon City Mayor Communication Group)
