DILG warns informal settlers most vulnerable to 'The Big One'

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that informal settlers would likely suffer the most casualties if "The Big One," a magnitude 7.2 earthquake from the West Valley Fault, were to hit Metro Manila.

Remulla explained that informal settlers' homes are not built with permits and often use unregulated cooking implements like kerosene, increasing the risk of fires and significant damage during a major earthquake.

He believes that while city buildings, which follow the National Building Code, will likely hold up, the building codes for municipalities need to be updated.

During a Senate hearing on the DILG's 2026 budget, Remulla highlighted these concerns to Senator JV Ejercito.

Undersecretary Marlo Iringan mentioned that the DILG has developed protocols for local government units to prepare for various eventualities.

An infrastructure audit will be piloted in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon, with local government units partnering with the Association of Structural Engineers and the Philippine Institute for Civil Engineers.

The government will soon order building inspections for informal settlements.