Mayor Binay wants seismographs in Makati’s high-rise buildings

THE MAKATI City government has ordered owners of high-rise buildings in the area to install seismographs, a device which can monitor ground movement during an earthquake.

Also called accelerometers, the device is said to be capable of monitoring the building’s response during a typhoon.

In a memorandum, City Engineer Nelson Morales who is also the city’s building official, urged all developers, contractors, owners and administrators of high-rise buildings in Makati to comply with the directive.

The order likewise covers high-rise buildings under construction and those still in the design stage.

According to Morales, buildings without the device will not be issued occupancy permits by the city government.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said the installation of seismographs was an urgent and important measure included in the policies and guidelines contained in a memorandum circular recently issued by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to building officials and local engineers.

Binay was referring to DPWH Memorandum Circular No. 03 dated March 31 this year. It cites Section 105(2) of the National Structural Code of the Philippines which requires the installation of accelerometers or seismographs in structures measuring over 50 meters high. Fifteen-story buildings are approximately 50 meters high and considered high-rise structures.

“We believe this directive must be strictly implemented right away because no one can tell when a strong earthquake will strike Metro Manila. We cannot know how strong it will be so we must prepare now,” Binay said.

At present, there are over 100 high-rise buildings and around 30 more under construction in the country’s financial center.