Manila, Philippines - Lawmakers have filed House Resolution No. 1476 to initiate an inquiry into the standards of public structures and public works in the wake of a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck southern Mindanao on November 17.
According to Philippines News Agency, ACT-CIS Party-list colleagues, and other lawmakers, the inquiry is a response to the injuries and casualties caused by falling debris and the collapse of various structures during the earthquake. Police officers and rescue workers in the affected provinces reported these issues. Tulfo, who visited the earthquake-stricken areas, observed the damages inflicted on substandard infrastructures, exposing significant vulnerabilities and underscoring the need for enhanced resilience measures.
The resolution highlights the discovery of sustainable damages in roads, bridges, ports, and other public works, including a partially submerged fish port in the Municipality of Glan, Sarangani. These damages raised concerns about the quality standards of public infrastructure in the Philippines and the regulation of these standards by relevant government agencies.
Tulfo emphasized the urgency of ensuring timely repair, replacement, or development of damaged public infrastructure, insisting on the importance of maintaining high quality and not compromising on standards. The resolution also sees contributions from other authors, including ACT-CIS party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo.