Cebu Quake Highlights Urgent Need for a Modern Building Act
The 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Cebu and neighboring provinces on September 30 has become a rallying point for lawmakers who argue that the Philippines needs a modern, comprehensive building code. Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. has renewed his call for the swift passage of the long-delayed Philippine Building Act (PBA), saying the disaster exposes the vulnerabilities of our aging infrastructure and outdated regulations.
A Wake-Up Call, Not a One-Off Event
In remarks made on Sunday, Oct. 5, Momo warned that delaying action on the PBA could result in more preventable deaths, injuries, and property damage in future disasters. “The Cebu earthquake is a wake-up call, again. It shows the cracks not only in our buildings but in our outdated building regulations. We need a building code that reflects the current and updated engineering standards, hazard maps, and climate realities—not one that was written decades ago,” he said.
He stressed that waiting for calamities to strike before acting is unacceptable. “The time to pass this measure is not today, not tomorrow, not even yesterday. I have been pushing for the Bill since last two Congresses, this is long delayed and our kababayans are paying the price for our failure to act,” the Mindanao lawmaker added.
What the Philippine Building Act Aims to Do
The PBA seeks to revise and replace the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) with a modern framework that better safeguards public safety across urban and rural areas. It envisions a standardized approach to building design, location, materials, and safety measures against natural calamities and multiple hazards. While the bill has already passed the third and final reading in the House during the 19th Congress, it stalled in the Senate, prompting renewed calls for presidential and legislative prioritization.
Key Provisions of a Modern Code
Under the proposed legislation, structures would be classified according to fire resistance, occupancy, and permitting processes. The act also outlines general requirements for the standardization of location and zoning, design, construction, materials, permits and licenses, occupancy, maintenance, and abatement. A notable provision would mandate structural reviews of buildings every 15 years, ensuring ongoing compliance with evolving engineering standards and hazard assessments.
Why Now Is the Time for Reform
Advocates argue that the Philippines’ rapid urbanization and exposure to natural hazards demand a proactive regulatory system. Current building regulations, last updated in the 1970s, are widely viewed as inadequate for today’s risk landscape. The PBA’s emphasis on hazard maps, climate realities, and updated engineering standards aims to reduce disaster vulnerability and support resilient communities.
The Cebu incident underscores the tangible consequences of outdated rules, not only in the physical integrity of structures but also in the ability of communities to recover quickly after events. Momo’s call echoes a broader mandate to lawmakers: laws should anticipate and mitigate risks, not merely respond to catastrophe after it occurs.
What Happens Next?
With the refiled bill ready for consideration, supporters are urging leadership in both chambers to advance Philippine Building Act discussions. The path to enactment may involve harmonizing proposals from various committees, addressing funding for enforcement, and ensuring that local governments have the capacity to implement new standards. Passage would enable a nationwide framework for safer construction, better urban planning, and more resilient public infrastructure.
Public Safety and Accountability at the Forefront
At its core, the PBA is about protecting lives and livelihoods by embedding rigorous safety requirements into every stage of a building’s life cycle. From permitting to maintenance, the act envisions a systemic approach that aligns design choices with measurable performance targets and real-world hazard data. For residents of Cebu and other disaster-prone areas, the potential gains are clear: fewer collapses, faster recoveries, and greater confidence in where they live, work, and learn.
Conclusion
As the country digests the lessons of the Cebu quake, the call for a modern Philippine Building Act grows louder. Lawmakers like Rep. Momo argue that the time for delay has passed, and the stakes have never been higher. A successful push for the PBA could mark a turning point—bridging old codes with new realities to build safer communities for all Filipinos.
