04/10/2025
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At exactly 9:59 P.M., people on several corners of Visayas were jolted with a magnitude 6.9 earthquake this Tuesday, September 30, 2025. However, not as much can be felt for those residing near the coast and soils of Northern Cebu. When Paola caught wind of the news, she intrinsically got up to her feet and reported to their local ofice in Mandaue. As a City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Responder, her work is grounded on public service, dedicating her sweat and efforts on uplifting the lives of communities especially in the midst of dark times such as these, shedding a light for the lost and a hand for the troubled.
According to PHIVOLCS, at least eight earthquakes of notable strength shook Cebu and its vicinity between 1885 and 2013, with magnitudes ranging from a considerably weak 5.0 to an alarming 7.2. The effects brought by these previous tragedies left everyone a lessonโ earthquakes live up to its name as one of the most devastating forces mother nature can impose upon humans. It releases a sudden burst of energy brought about by unprecedented movements of Earthโs tectonic plates, sourced kilometers deep within the planetโs crust from a point known as the focus.This can pave the way for sudden movements or cracks to form, cracks coined as faults, and is where most quakes come about. The said disaster can also stem from a volcanic eruption. When magma rises, it applies pressure and tension to the crust, causing volcanic tremors. Earthquakes are catastrophes that wreak havoc at any given time without warning, making it all the more terrifying. On top of that, it can serve as a launchpad for several other calamities to take form such as tsunamis or landslides, causing widespread damage and turmoil to occur. This is the reality for those who call their home, areas that have been decimated by the said calamity in previous years.
While she tends to a little boyโs wounds and cuts, the damage the earthquake left on its path finally sank in on Paola. During her time in Bogo City, she witnessed large-scale destruction and widespread injuries. A wide array of public infrastructure collapsed, leaving everyone to reflect on the recently-exposed plethora of substandard government projects. These now-compromised structures dotted across Cebu are a manifestation of weak and fragile buildings dispersed not just within the province, but across the whole
country.
Substandard projects refers to buildings or public infrastructure that was unable to meet the standard strength required prior to its construction, whereas structural integrity in engineering is dedicated to ensuring that a structure is fit for its purpose under any possible condition. While it can stand for quite some time, when faced with an earthquake as catastrophic as the one seen near the shores of Bogo, substandard infrastructures, which lack integrity, can turn against its function and instead, can act as a setback, harming those intended for its purpose. For instance, a multitude of highways and bridges within the proximity of Bogo and other surrounding municipalities are now unpassable owing to the damages imposed by the tremors. Another embodiment of the said type of structure is the Bogo City Hall, which sustained major cracks and impairments, further attesting that they are not up to par with the required standards. These types of damages are caused by ground shaking, where seismic waves bring vibration to concrete structures, leading to failure or collapse.
Disappointed with the aftermath of the quake and the damages it applied in frail infrastructures, Paola saw this situation as one that is dificult to look for a silver lining inโ however, there are always aspects to be glad about. Take the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, despite intense vibrations and shaking, the structure saw little to no damage. Built in 1999 as a means to improve social and economic ties between Mandaue and Mainland Cebu, the said bridge is the first of its kind in the Philippines. Promoting advanced technology in design and construction, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge operates an extradosed cable-stayed type, which utilizes a cable system that provides fortified deck support and durability. Furthermore, this type of bridge reduces bending moment and sheer force compared to other types of bridges, which enhances structural stability, leaving the bridge with little to no visible cracks or damages.
As Paola traverses the streets of Northern Cebu trying her best to lend everyone a helping hand, she reflects on the damages caused by the quake which bothered this once quiet land. The nature of her work has opened her eyes to the significance of scientific consciousness and social and political awareness, most notably for people who reside in a disaster-prone area, something that the residents of Bogo City and the rest of Cebu can acknowledge as they lift the rubble and start a new life.
Sources:
PHIVOLCS: https:/www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/earth-hazards/earthquakes/
British Geological Survey: https:/www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/earth-hazards/earthquakes/
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences:
https:/www.gfz.de/en/section/physics-of-earthquakes-and-volcanoes/topics/earthquake-volcano-interactions
The Welding Institute:
https:/www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/structural-integrity #:~:text=Structural%20integrity
%20is%20an%20engineering,for%20failure%20are%20as%20follows:
Article by Neo Aldrich Osuyos | The Gazette
Graphic by Fiona Guevarra | The Gazette
