The Philippines is fortifying several flyovers in Metro Manila in anticipation of a massive earthquake dubbed “The Big One”, the public works department said Tuesday.

State seismologists earlier said the Marikina West Valley fault line, one of the active faults in the country, is ripe for movement because it has not moved in 200 years. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol warned a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Metro Manila would leave at least 34,000 fatalities and 114,000 injured in case the so-called ''The Big One'' occurs.

'Quake similar to Morocco's would leave 34,000 dead in Metro Manila'

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said retrofitting of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover and similar structures is necessary in case of a massive earthquake.

“We have to do it right away. Matagal na natin pinaplano ‘yan…Mas mabuti na ‘yung maagap na nagpe-prepare especially kapag pinag-uusapan yung ‘The Big One’ para structurally fit ‘yung mga flyovers along EDSA,” he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He added the DPWH is taking advantage of the “good construction weather” before the rainy season starts.

Retrofitting of EDSA-Kamuning flyover is set to start on April 25, 2024 and will last until October.

“Ang mangyayari dito redecking, papalitan ‘yung kongkreto sa taas, lane by lane, ‘yung deck mismona dinadaanan ng sasakyan. Kukumpunuhin din namin sa baba, patitibayin yung girder sa baba,” the DPWH chief said.

Next on the pipeline is the retrofitting of Guadalupe Bridge, which will be done with financial assistance from the Japanese government.

The DPWH will also need to replace the expansion joints of Magallanes Flyover, which can be done in a month.

The DPWH-NCR is also finishing curing of the EDSA-Pasay flyover and will open all lanes by Wednesday, April 24.