LESSONS FROM THE 1990 EARTHQUAKE

MEMORIES of the powerful 7.7 earthquake that devastated Dagupan in 1990 rushed back among the city’s residents last week as a 7.2 tremor shook Bohol and Cebu on Tuesday.

City Engineer Virginia Rosario, then the assistant city engineer, said that the sight of the destruction suffered by the islands in the Visayas flashed her back to when about 80 percent of Dagupan’s buildings, houses, roads and bridges were destroyed.

“If not tilted, they sank,” she said.

The damage from the earthquake was aggravated by liquefaction of the soil in the city, which sits below sea level, Rosario said.

But Rosario said Dagupan was able to get back on its feet even faster than projected.

“Many thought it would take five years before it could recover,” Rosario said, “But in two years’ time, it started to get back to normal.”

She encouraged those affected by last week’s earthquake to stay strong and focus on cooperation for the rebuilding process.

“I hope they would have strength because I know something good or even better would happen after that tragic event like what happened in Dagupan,” she said.

REBUILDING DAGUPAN

THE city engineer cited how the Magsaysay Bridge in Perez Boulevard collapsed and was totally replaced while opposite it, the Quintos Bridge, had to be retrofitted.

The historic old cathedral was also reduced to rubble similar to what befell century-old churches in Bohol and Cebu.

But then Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz initiated its rehabilitation and years later, it was back to an almost similar grandeur.

Then Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. lobbied for a P2-billion rehabilitation fund from the national government and sponsored a bill seeking the appropriation of P10 billion for the rehabilitation of earthquake-devastated areas in Luzon, of which Dagupan got a big share.

Following the 1990 earthquake, construction guidelines and requirements have been made more stringent.

A more than two-storey building project, for example, needs to have a soil-bearing capacity test and a yearly inspection is undertaken by a composite team.

“Dagupan is better prepared now for any eventualities. Before, a mild temblor would send us shaking. But now we know better how to manage such situations,” Rosario said.

An earthquake drill is also held annually, particularly for school children.

Apart from the rebuilding of infrastructure, Dagupan’s business community also came together to boost the economy from the devastation.

Billboards were put up in strategic areas with the rally call: “Dagupan is unsinkable. To sink is unthinkable. To build is impossible. To rebuild we shall forever do.”

Time has shown how Dagupeños managed to get their act together and made their city one of the commercial centers in northern Luzon.

Mayor Belen Fernandez, then a full-time businesswoman, said she was a witness to the city’s undying spirit.

“We have a very positive attitude here… Dagupan indeed rose from the rubble,” Fernandez said.–Eva Visperas

PRIVATE BUILDING OWNERS URGED:
“INSPECT YOUR PROPERTIES”

LINGAYEN—Following the earthquake that struck the Visayas last week, District Engineer Elpidio Paragas called on the owners of private buildings to conduct regular inspections of their properties to ensure structural strength.

Paragas further said he will organize the engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways to help in the inspection and evaluation.

“If you need assistance to determine the structural stability of your buildings, we can assist for free,” he said.

Paragas delivered the same message to churches in the province, citing the destruction of the several churches in the earthquake-devastated areas, including those listed as national treasures or historical landmarks.

He said district offices conduct annual inspection and maintenance of public schools and buildings.

He added that quality assurance units form the regional and national offices conduct year-round check on infrastructure works.

“We submit inventory in compliance with the National Building Code and Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or Accessibility Law,” said Paragas.

He also gave assurance that existing public establishments, bridges, and national roads in his area of responsibility, the second and fourth districts, remain safe.–Johanne R. Macob

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