The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to prioritize the revision of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code to ensure buildings throughout the country would withstand strong earthquakes and typhoons.
With almost half a century since the law was passed in the early-1970s by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos through a presidential declaration, experts believe that the National Building Code should be amended in order to meet the needs today.
DPWH Project Director Johnson V. Domingo said the agency is open to receiving more recommendations from technical organizations for the amendment of the said law.
The agency, through the National Building Code Review Committee (NBCRC), has already received some suggestions from several groups, which voiced concerns and issues relative to the code and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
“From the submitted proposals, NBCRC, along with the newly reconstituted Board of Consultants of the National Building Code, shall evaluate and recommend action on issues and concerns, and propose revisions or amendments to the IRR of the existing code,” he said.
Among the potential revisions include streamlining the process of acquiring building permits, standardizing the specifications of building materials and introducing new building categories.
Architect Renato A. Labudlay said there really is a need to update the building code because it has conflicting provisions with the National Structural Code of the Philippines.
“The building code also has contradicting standards with Batas Pambansa 220 on economic and socialized housing projects,” Labudlay added.
Already tagged by experts and lawmakers as “antiquated” and “outdated”, the legislation lists the standards for the construction of buildings all over
the Philippines.
Lawmakers from both Houses have already voiced concerns over the law, noting it should be amended to keep pace with the trends in the construction sector, as well as consider factors on population growth, modern urban planning and risk reduction. Former Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte has said it is “imperative” to consider risk-reduction management in the revision of the building code considering the disasters that have come to the country.
Leyte was heavily devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, leaving the province with over P89.6 billion in losses due to damages on public and private infrastructure, and millions of people displaced.
Sen. Leila M. de Lima has also filed a resolution for immediate review and revision of the law, as it will help in modernising the current state of the buildings—residential or commercial—in the Philippines.
And, being situated along a typhoon belt and the so-called the Ring of Fire, the Philippines should have better laws on construction for the safety of its people, she said.
Domingo said once the public works department finishes its review of the submitted proposals, these will be collated and be passed to Congress in aid
of legislation.
The NBCRC is composed of directors of Bureau of Design, Bureau of Construction, Bureau of Maintenance, Bureau of Research and Standards, Legal Service, Planning Service, Unified Project Management Office—Buildings Management Cluster and NBCP-Board of Consultants chairman.
The Board of Consultants of the National Building Code is composed of representatives from different government offices and non-governmental organizations, such as departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Health and Justice; Bureau of Fire Protection and the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines. The Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines Inc., National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Building Officials, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers, Philippine Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers are also part of the board.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had earlier urged Metro Manila residents to prepare for the “Big One”, or a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. Businesses were also told to plan “carefully” so they can cope with the impact of
the earthquake.
The Philippines was given a preview of what to expect when the Big One strikes after Mexico was rocked by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake, which killed more than 200 people on Wednesday. The earthquake also damaged a number of buildings, including the Philippine Embassy.