When the Earth Shakes: Why Design Professionals Matter More Than Ever

A Sobering Reminder from Davao

On October 10, 2025, a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Davao region in Mindanao. The tremor triggered tsunami warnings, power interruptions, and widespread fear across nearby provinces. While authorities later lifted the tsunami alert, reports of damage and aftershocks underscored a sobering truth: the Philippines remains one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world.

Our country lies at the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire—a region where multiple tectonic plates meet and frequently collide. Earthquakes here are not rare; they are part of our natural environment. The real question is not if another major quake will happen, but whether our structures are designed to withstand it.

The Philippines and the Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt encircling the Pacific Ocean, responsible for about 90% of the world’s earthquakes. The Philippines sits right on this belt, surrounded by active fault lines and trenches such as the Philippine Trench, Cotabato Trench, and the Valley Fault System.

According to PHIVOLCS, these faults are capable of producing destructive earthquakes that could affect highly populated areas. This means every home, building, or facility—especially in seismically active regions like Davao, Central Visayas, and Metro Manila—must be designed with earthquake resilience as a top priority.

Structural Design: Our First Line of Defense

Earthquake-resistant design isn’t just about making a structure “strong.” It’s about making it safe, flexible, and predictable under stress.

A well-designed building absorbs and redistributes energy through its frame, foundations, and joints. When done right, it minimizes damage, prevents collapse, and protects lives. When done wrong—or worse, without professionals—it risks catastrophic failure even from moderate shaking.

Key factors that licensed professionals consider:

• Seismic zoning and soil condition – Every site has a different ground motion potential and soil amplification.

• Building configuration and regularity – Simple, symmetrical plans are safer than irregular layouts.

• Proper reinforcement and ductile detailing – Structural members must bend, not break, during quakes.

• Foundation design – Ground settlement, liquefaction, and slope stability must be studied through soil testing.

• Performance objectives – Modern design ensures buildings are repairable after major quakes and remain standing during extreme ones.

Built on Science: The Role of NSCP and ASEP

The National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP), prepared by the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), is the primary technical reference for safe and code-compliant structural design.

The latest NSCP 2015 (7th Edition) integrates lessons from global seismic events and updated parameters based on the latest seismic hazard maps. It introduces performance-based design (PBD), allowing engineers to define clear performance targets—ensuring a building will remain functional, repairable, or at least prevent collapse under certain earthquake intensities.

ASEP also provides the Earthquake Design Manual, which guides engineers in applying seismic load procedures, lateral analysis, and detailing requirements. All these standards exist to make structures safer—and they are only meaningful if the people designing your building are licensed professionals who understand and apply them correctly.

The Risks of Unlicensed or “Shortcut” Construction

Unfortunately, some homeowners and small developers still entrust their projects to unlicensed individuals or “foremen” who promise cheaper design and construction. While cost-saving may seem practical at first, the hidden risks can be devastating.

1. Structural Failure and Collapse

Without proper structural calculations, a building’s frame may not resist lateral loads from earthquakes, leading to brittle failure or total collapse.

2. Higher Long-Term Costs

Repairing or rebuilding a damaged structure is far more expensive than investing in professional design from the start.

3. Legal and Insurance Problems

Structures without permits or signed/sealed plans by licensed professionals may be denied occupancy certificates and insurance coverage.

4. Loss of Life and Property

Worst of all, improperly designed or constructed buildings endanger the lives of families and communities.

Why You Should Always Hire Licensed Professionals

Hiring a licensed architect and structural engineer ensures that your project follows the Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096), NSCP, and local ordinances. They are trained to balance safety, functionality, and aesthetics—protecting both people and investments.

Professionals are also accountable. Their work is subject to review, inspection, and ethical standards set by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and professional organizations such as ASEP and UAP (United Architects of the Philippines).

When you hire licensed professionals, you’re not just paying for drawings—you’re investing in expertise, safety, and peace of mind.

Building Safer Together

At KDA Design + Architecture, we believe that design is the first line of defense against natural hazards. Every line

drawn, every column detailed, and every joint reinforced contributes to how well a building can protect its occupants.

We encourage every Filipino homeowner and builder:

✅ Hire licensed design professionals.

✅ Follow the latest ASEP/NSCP standards.

✅ Never skip soil testing and proper structural analysis.

✅ Treat design fees as life-safety investments, not extra costs.

The earth will continue to move. What matters is how we design and build to move with it—safely and smartly.

References

1. Reuters. “Powerful 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Southern Philippines, Tsunami Warnings Issued.” October 10, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/magnitude-72-earthquake-strikes-philippines-mindanao-emsc-says-2025-10-10

2. The Washington Post. “Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Southern Philippines.” October 10, 2025.

3. The Guardian. “Tsunami Threat Lifted After Philippine Earthquake – As It Happened.” October 10, 2025.

4. PHIVOLCS. “Seismic Hazard and Active Faults in the Philippines.” https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph

5. Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP). “National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015 – 7th Edition.” https://aseponline.org

6. ASEP. “Earthquake Design Manual.” (ASEP Publication)

7. Vera Files. “Earthquake-Resilient Structures Explained.” 2023.

8. Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XII. “Designing Resilient Structures Handbook.” 2016.

9. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Republic Act 544 (Civil Engineering Law) and Republic Act 9266 (Architecture Act of 2004).