Manila Cathedral is only one of three churches in Manila that has recently been retrofitted to withstand a strong earthquake. (Photo by Maria Tan)
Manila's centuries-old churches are among the first structures that will crumble if a strong earthquake hits the Philippine capital, according to experts.
State seismologists have warned that Metro Manila is likely to be hit by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake once a nearby fault moves.
Architect Armin Sarthou, a professor at the University of the Philippines, said the country's centuries-old churches are in bad need of maintenance to withstand an earthquake.
Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, vicar-general of Manila, said the archdiocese is "currently assessing" all its structures.
Aside from preserving the cultural value of old churches, Msgr. Ignacio said the church is "most concerned about the safety of our people."
The priest assured that Manila's churches were designed to withstand a 6.5 magnitude earthquake.
Bernard Lasala of the archdiocesan engineering ministry said at least 93 structures are under assessment.
"We are prioritizing those churches that are within the West Valley Fault zone and on other unstable ground," said Lasala.
The West Valley Fault, a 100-kilometer fault line that traverses the national capital and nearby provinces, moves roughly every 400 years.
The last major earthquake generated by this fault was in 1658 or 359 years ago.
Msgr. Ignacio said church leaders are "very much aware of the need to take care of our buildings."
"We do not want a compromised structure that will harm people that seek protection from us," said the priest.
Msgr. Ignacio appealed to the government and the public to help the reinforcement of churches and public structures.
"We understand the value of these structures and the role of these church buildings in times that the public needs them as sanctuaries," said the priest.
Fears about a strong quake prompted city authorities to stage an earthquake drill on the capital, in June last year.
A 2004 study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority revealed that a magnitude 7.2 quake could kill up to 34,000 people and injure 100,000 others due to collapsed buildings.
