Comprehensive Training Equips Metro’s LGUs Against “The Big One”

To relieve public concerns regarding “The Big One,” which is a potentially catastrophic seismic event, the DOST-NCR conducted a comprehensive Structural Integrity Audit Training for 51 representatives of local government units and DOST attached agencies last August 31, 2023, at People’s Hall, SM Aura Tower, Taguig City, followed by a Mock Assessment of selected DOST offices in Bicutan, Taguig on September 14, 2023.

Engr. Paul Aaron Insigne from F+J Structural Solutions Co. presented the Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System (USHER), a system developed by USHER Technologies, which allows building owners and managers, local government units, building officials, and structural engineers to remotely monitor and analyze the structural integrity of buildings and other structures.

Dr. Michael Bautista Baylon, a Senior Structural Health Engineer from USHER Technologies, Inc. shared his expertise on materials characteristics, defects, and causes of damaged structures and the Infrastructure Audit Manual, including budget development and cost estimation, quality assurance, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) protocols.

The training participants later visited the office buildings of the participating DOST attached agencies – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), Philippine Textile and Research Institute (PTRI), and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), Science Education Institute (SEI) and National Academy for Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PH) situated at the Science Heritage Building for their mock assessment where participants gave their observations and recommendations for the rehabilitation and retrofitting of their offices to make them more able to withstand a major earthquake.

By: Paul Justin Torculas, TOD-PAMAMAZON CASTO