PRESS RELEASE

DOST-PHIVOLCS TO LAUNCH PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE MODEL ATLAS FOR

DESIGNING EARTHQUAKE RESILIENT BUILDINGS

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) will launch the Philippine Earthquake Model (PEM) Atlas
on January 17, 2018 at the 2/F Auditorium of PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP
Campus, Diliman, Quezon City.

This atlas is a handbook of probabilistic seismic hazard maps that will aid engineers in
designing earthquake resilient buildings and structures. It can also be used as a tool for land
use and urban planning, and disaster risk management plans of LGUs, government agencies,
and other stakeholders.

The PEM Atlas aims to promote and enhance the existing National Structural Code of the
Philippines (NSCP), a referral code of the National Buidling Code (NBC). This will serve as
basis for designing earthquake resilient structures like residential and commercial buildings,
critical facilities such as dams, bridges, and hospitals, and hazardous installations such as
nuclear, biological, and chemical facilities.

PEM Atlas contains the Peak Ground Acceleration Maps and Spectral Acceleration Maps.
These maps were generated from the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) through
the collaborative efforts and expertise of seismologists, geologists, engineers, and researchers
from DOST-PHIVOLCS in consultation with Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE),
Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH), University of the Philippines Diliman – Institute of Civil
Engineering (UPD-ICE), DOST- Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), De la Salle
University (DLSU), National Housing Authority (NHA), Insurance Commission (IC),
Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, Inc (PIRA), Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and Metro Manila local government
units (LGUs).

Copies of PEM Atlas will be distributed to partners. Stakeholders may request a CD

containing a digital copy of the PEM Atlas to DOST-PHIVOLCS.

For information about the event, please contact:

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, DOST
and Officer-in-Charge, PHIVOLCS
(632) 926-2611

PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
Tel. Nos.: (632) 426-1468 to 79; 926-2611 ǀ Fax Nos. (632) 929-8366; 928-3757
Website: www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph