DILG orders affected LGUs to inspect infrastructure after Mindanao quake

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday it has ordered local government units (LGUs) affected by the strong 6.3 earthquake that rocked parts of Mindanao to immediately inspect infrastructure in their areas.

“What we did was to direct all LGUs to start inspecting buildings. Standard operating procedure na kasi ‘yan sa amin (that’s standard operating procedure to us), that mayors must direct their respective building officials and engineers to check on buildings, especially public infrastructure like bridges and roads,” said Jonathan Malaya, DILG spokesperson and Undersecretary for Plans, Public Relations, and Communications, in an interview.

Malaya said this move stems from the agency’s experience from the magnitude 6.1 earthquake in Pampanga in April this year that killed at least a dozen and even caused the suspension of operations at the Clark International Airport after its ceiling collapsed.

“Learning from that experience, as part of ‘Oplan Listo,’ we immediately direct the LGUs to start inspecting,” he said.

Four fatalities have so far been reported after the strong earthquake hit parts of Mindanao on Wednesday night. /je

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