ANTIPOLO, Rizal – Makati Mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay is pushing for a policy requiring land titles to disclose if a property lies on or near a fault line—aiming to help buyers make more informed and safer choices.
Binay made the proposal during an Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign stop, where candidates were asked about policies to protect lives and property in case of major earthquakes, referencing the recent deadly quake in Myanmar.
“I want fault line locations clearly annotated on land titles so buyers are aware of the risks,” Binay said. “We already have the technology to identify danger zones. The issue isn’t more laws—it’s enforcing the ones we have and being honest with the public.”
Based on her experience in Makati, she shared that some families still choose to live in high-risk areas, even when they know the dangers. She emphasized that addressing this issue will require political will, especially when relocation is necessary for public safety.
“They’re risking their lives without even knowing if the next quake will be the last,” Binay added.
Fellow candidate and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo also stressed the need for a law that would give authorities the power to relocate residents from disaster-prone areas, citing difficulties in evacuating people during volcanic eruptions or storms.
Senator Francis Tolentino and former Senator Panfilo Lacson both called for urgent amendments to the outdated National Building Code. Tolentino emphasized the need to account for modern technologies and taller buildings, while Lacson proposed integrating a “National Hazard Mapping” system to help determine where specific types of construction should be allowed.
With the Philippines highly prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions, all candidates agreed that stricter safety policies must be prioritized in the upcoming Congress.