‘PBA’ seeks to modernize building construction rules, aid in preventing ‘Big One’
But will the Senate pass it this time around?
HOUSE Committee on Public Works and Highways chairperson, Rep. Romeo Momo (First District, Surigao del Sur), thanked his colleagues for finally passing on third reading House Bill 6615 that would overhaul and made relevant to modern needs the National Building Code (NBC) that was first enacted thru a presidential decree some 48 years ago.
HB 6615, to be known as the ‘Philippine Building Act’ (PBA) is a consolidation of 8 similar measures filed under the 20th Congress and was approved by the House plenary last December 16 under the sponsorship of Momo.
A certified civil engineer and former undersecretary at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Momo said he has always been keenly aware of the need to amend PD 1096 that was signed by President Marcos Senior in 1977.
He argued that overhauling PD 1096 would aid the country in minimizing the damage to lives and infrastructure should the so-called ‘Big One,’ an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 or more, hit the National Capital Region.
“Today, our cities are larger, our buildings are taller, the population bigger, the risks we face are greater, and the science is clearer. Yet we continue to rely on outdated standards, leaving our people exposed to dangers we already know exist.
“According to the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake from the West Valley Fault will probably result in the following grim scenario:
“About 170,000 residential houses will collapse, and 34,000 people will be killed.
“Some 114,000 individuals will be injured, while 340,000 houses will be damaged.
“Around 10 percent of public buildings will be heavily damaged. Total economic losses will amount to almost 2.5 trillion pesos,” Momo informed his colleagues.
“Let us be reminded not only of the local earthquakes that caused untold loss and sufferings, the recent one (last September) in Cebu.
“The February 2023 Turkey earthquake killing over 50,000 individuals and the September 2023 Morocco earthquake killing more than 2,000 individuals, revealed that many buildings collapsed due to non-compliance, sub-standard works, and outdated laws.
“In Haiti a 7.0 magnitude quake devastated Port Au Prince last 2010 killing more than 200 thousand people and in Nepal last 2015, over 9 thousand people perished, mainly due to weak construction, lack of regulation and failing to meet safety modern standards.” Momo stressed.
Under the consolidated proposal, a building “classification” system shall be followed based on their fire resistance rating, use or occupancy and required track of permitting process.
General requirements for location and zoning, design, construction, materials, occupancy, maintenance and abatement shall also be followed.
The DPWH Secretary shall also be designated as the ‘National Building Official’ while a ‘Building Regulations and Standards Council’ shall also be formed to assist in the strict implementation of the Act.
“For every minute we delay this measure, is a minute we gamble with the lives of our children at school, our work force in the factories, our patients and doctors in hospitals, our professionals in the office, our families at home, and the lives of every Filipino,” Momo warned.
“Let this be a Congress that Builds not just Better or More, but a Congress that fosters Resiliency, Safety, and Modernity,” he added.
The solon noted that as far back as August 2023, under the 19th Congress, the House already passed the PBA, but it was not acted upon by the Senate.
Comments are closed.