Rep. Tulfo, 4 solons want to probe standard of public structure following M’danao quake

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo and his colleagues from the ACT-CIS partylist and two other lawmakers filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to conduct and inquiry on the standard of public structure and public works to withstand earthquakes and other disasters.

The House Resolution No. 1476 urging the appropriate committee of the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the standard of public structure and public works to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters was filed by Rep. Erwin Tulfo and his colleagues from the ACT-CIS partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, and two other solons Benguet Cong. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the province of Sarangani, Davao Occidental and other portions of Mindanao resulting in multiple casualties, injuries, and missing citizens and destruction of properties last Nov. 17.

“According to police officers and rescue workers in the affected provinces, the injuries and casualties following the earthquake were due to falling debris and structures, and collapsed concrete and steel works, among other causes,” the resolution stated.

Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who personally visited the area last Sunday after receiving orders from Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to assess the situation and to give assistance in the affected areas, said the earthquakes inflicted damage on some substandard infrastructure, revealing vulnerabilities in construction and highlighting the urgent need for improved resilience measures.

“Upon inspection of infrastructure facilities after the quake, sustainable damages were also found in several roads, bridges, ports, and other public works, including a partially submerged fishport in the Municipality of Glan, Sarangani,” the resolution said.

“Whereas, such sustainable damages and their corresponding fatal repercussions to the public give rise to questions on the standard of public infrastructure in the country and the regulation of the same by relevant government agencies,” it added.

The lawmakers also said, there is an urgent need to ensure that the repair, replacement, or development of damaged public infrastructure and works must be completed timely but not at the risk of substandard quality.