The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned over the site where the multi-billion airport of San Miguel Corporation will be built.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum disclosed in a Senate hearing on Wednesday that the area where San Miguel Aerocity Inc. will be building its Php700-B project is prone to ground shaking and liquefaction, even if the site is far away from any fault system.
“It is far away from the fault. But since it’s underlain by sand with a shallow water table, it’s prone to strong ground shaking and liquefaction,” Solidum said.
Liquefaction happens the ground softens because of water sediments and loses its strength against ground shaking.
Solidum however clarified that the effects can be prevented if the design and architecture of the project would be studied thoroughly.
He also warned about the flood hazards on the site of the proposed airport.
“Now on the aspect of flood hazards, then the area must ensure that appropriate drainage systems are really undertaken, and as explained by SMC, they’re doing that to avoid flooding in the airport area and also in the adjacent municipalities,” he explained.
San Miguel corporation has been doing flood control initiatives in order to mitigate its impact on the newly constructed airport.
The company also invested on foreign experts when it comes to airport construction and safety.
