Windows26: Weekend Roundup: Is the Philippines ready for the 'Big One'?

Hello, ! The Big One — a looming threat to Metro Manila — always comes up in conversation shortly after a quake, wherever it may happen — the latest being the 7.7-magnitude quake that rattled Myanmar and Thailand last March 28.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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Hello, reader!

The Big One — a looming threat to Metro Manila — always comes up in conversation shortly after a quake, wherever it may happen — the latest being the 7.7-magnitude quake that rattled Myanmar and Thailand last March 28.

The scary thing about earthquakes is that they happen without much warning. They're not as predictable as typhoons whose path Pagasa can plot on a map.

You can take more precautions against a coming typhoon. But with an earthquake, you can only hope that, when it strikes, you'll be somewhere safe — maybe in a building that won't crumble after a few seconds of shaking.

The question is: How safe are our buildings?

Malacañang, for one, wants to know the answer to that.

So right after the Myanmar quake, which toppled a 30-story government building still under construction, Malacañang called on local governments to direct building officials to inspect structures in their jurisdiction and be strict in issuing building permits.

One thing that these officials should check is whether the steel reinforcement is not substandard.

You can read something about that here: The 'Big One' and substandard rebars: A killer mix

Let's close this Weekend Roundup with a joke by Pasig House bet Ian Sia — which, unfortunately, many people didn't find funny at all.

Nothing he could do but say sorry.

ON OUR RADAR

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REST IN PEACE

Julie Alipala; 58

Inquirer reporter Julie Alipala, who spent decades covering conflicts and peace-building efforts in Mindanao, died early Thursday morning. She was 58. Alipala wrote for the Inquirer for over two decades, first as a correspondent before becoming a regular reporter in the last 15 years. She extensively covered wars, conflicts, and peace-building efforts in Basilan, Sulu, and the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

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Regards,

Alexander T. Magno

April 5, 2025

Alex Magno is the current News Channel editor of INQUIRER.net. He oversees the daily operations of the News Desk, ensuring the timely and consistent delivery of news stories to our valued readers.

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