Palace urges LGUs to conduct building inspections amid ‘Big One’ threat
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing with the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on March 3, 2025. | PHOTO: Screengrab from RTVM
MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Monday directed local government units to conduct thorough building inspections and enforce stricter issuance of building permits amid renewed fears of the “Big One.”
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro made the pronouncement following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that recently hit Myanmar and Thailand on March 28.
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This earthquake reignited fears over the potential “Big One” quake that seismologists predict could strike Metro Manila in the future.
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“Sa mga local government units, sa’tin din po, idini-demand po natin na ‘yung mga building officers nila [ay] magsagawa ng mga inspection kung maaari,” said Castro in a Palace press conference.
(To the local government units, for us as well, we are demanding that their building officers conduct inspections if possible.)
“Maging mahigpit din po sila sa pagbibigay ng mga permits, pagpapagawa ng buildings na maaaring hindi ganoong katibay,” she added.
(They should also be strict in issuing permits for the construction of buildings that may not be strong enough.)
She called on the public to stay vigilant and work together in spreading awareness about preparations and response plans once such a calamity strikes.
Meanwhile, Castro, who acknowledged that it is impossible to predict when the “Big One” may actually happen, gave assurance that the government remains prepared to respond to its possible effects.
“Karamihan po, halos po ang government agencies, prepared diyan. Nagkakaroon ng earthquake drill fire drill and may mga nakahandang go bags,” said Castro.
(Most government agencies are prepared for that. They conduct earthquake and fire drills, and they have go bags ready.)
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand resulted in widespread damage in both countries.
The massive earthquake also resulted in over 1,000 deaths.
