CHAPTER I

The Problem and its Background

1.1. Introduction

The Philippine Archipelago lies between 2 major tectonic plates, the

Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate. Philippine Sea Plates moving
towards the Philippine Archipelago at the rate of about 7cm per year. The
Eurasian Plate is being subducted along Western side of Luzon and Mindoro
at the rate of 3cm per year except on Mindoro and Northwest of Zamboanga
where collision is taking place. At the intersection of these two plates is
found the Philippine Fault Zone which decouples the northwestward motion
of the pacific with the southwestward motion of the Eurasian plate.
Movements along other active faults are responsible for the present day high
seismicity of the Philippine archipelago.

For the last 35years, the Philippines had been affected by 10

earthquakes with magnitude greater than 7.0. Hence, the likelihood of these
destructive earthquakes occurring again in the future is indeed very strong.
At least 5 earthquakes per day occur in the Philippines.

Indeed, earthquake poses inevitable risks to everyone who lives on this

planet. No one knows when an earthquake will strike or how severe it will be
and it caused losses of property and lives.

Here in the Philippines, an active fault called Marikina Valley fault

system may cause a tremendous earthquake. It may happen because of the
energy stored in it, and if its faults slip, stored energy is released causing a
dangerous earthquake which may be the reason to harm the residents living
near it.

There are many hazards/ risks posed by earthquakes. In this study, the
researchers will discuss the hazards posed by earthquakes and the possible
way on how to reduce it.

Henceforth, this study aims to focus on how to reduce earthquake risks

and to determine the level of preparedness and awareness of the people
living near the Marikina Valley fault system, particularly in the city of
Marikina.

1.2. Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks

1.2.1. Theoretical Framework

According to Reynaldo Punungbayan

1.2.2. Conceptual Framework

1.3. Statement of the Problems

Nowadays disaster risk get worse due to the underlying effect of global
warming. The danger of earthquake with greater magnitude increases.
Despite of the advancement in media technology; the destruction caused by
phenomenon such as earthquake is still unfathomable. As a general problem,
the researchers seek to answer the problem regarding community based
awareness and preparedness in Marikina about earthquake risk.
 The researches also seek to evaluate such specific questions which as
follow:

1. What is the level of awareness of the respondent in terms of

earthquake risk?
2. What is the degree of importance of the respondents in terms of
earthquake risk?
3. What is the degree of preparedness of the respondents in terms of
earthquake?

1.4. Hypothesis

The researchers expect that from this study, we would learn how
prepared/aware the respondents are in case an earthquake occurs. The
researchers will then propose an activity to boost the awareness of the
respondents and will show them what they should do when an earthquake
strikes. By doing so, respondents will attain higher level and degree of
preparedness and awareness in terms of earthquake risks. Thus, the
reductions of earthquake risk are highly manageable.

1.5. Importance of the Study

This study will aim to know the awareness and preparedness of the
people in Marikina about the hazards of living near the Marikina Valley
Fault Line.
This will help the residents to reduce the risk of earthquake destruction.
They will be having more knowledge on when an earthquake strikes and
after the earthquake.

1.6. Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on having a specific area near the Marikina fault
line as our probable location. We shall have residents here as our
respondents. We shall concentrate only in the awareness and
preparedness of the residents and to come up with some possible
solutions through mitigation and prevention program, to manage and to
reduce the risks that may dwell when an earthquake strikes.

1.7. Definition of Terms

1.7.1. Earthquake Risk

- Risks due to earthquakes.

1.7.2. Earthquake Hazard

- Any physical phenomena (ground shaking, ground

failure) associated with an earthquake that may
produce adverse effects on human activities.
1.7.3. Earthquake Risk Reduction

- Reducing the risks from earthquakes by

awareness and preparedness

1.7.4. Earthquake Risk Management

- Managing of risks from earthquakes by spreading

awareness and preparedness

1.7.5. Community-based Approach

- Spreading awareness and preparedness for

earthquake risks in communities

1.7.6. Preparedness

- Pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken

within the context of disaster risk reduction and
management and are based on sound risk analysis as
well as pre-disaster activities to avert or minimize loss
of life and property such as, but not limited to,
community organizing, training, planning, equipping,
stockpiling, hazard mapping, insuring of assets, and
public information and education initiatives.

1.7.7. Awareness