Part I

The 1990 Luzon earthquake struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines at 4:26 p.m. on
July 16 with an estimated moment magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity
of IX (Violent).

 What caused the disaster?

The disaster was a result of strike-slip movements along the Philippine Fault and the
Digdig Fault within the Philippine Fault System.

 When and where exactly did the natural event originate?

The natural event occurred at 4:26 p.m. on July 16, 1990, and it’s epicenter was
pinpointed at Nueva Ecija.

 How extensive was the area affected?

The earthquake affected Northern and Central Luzon (Regions I, II, III, and Cordillera
Autonomous Region) and part of Southern Luzon. Its epicenter was pinpointed at
Nueva Ecija, with the most affected areas being the cities of Baguio, Cabanatuan in
Nueva Ecija, and Dagupan in Pangasinan.

 Was the cause of the disaster forecasted or predicted? Were there

warnings issued? How did the people react to the warning?
Due to the limited technology at the time, the earthquake was probably not forecasted
and therefore lead to more lives lost.

 How many lives were lost? How many were injured and missing? Can the
loss of lives be quantified in terms of peso or dollars?

 Casualties: 2,142
 Missing: 321
 Injured: 3,513
 Approximately 15 billion pesos in property damage (loss of lives cannot be quantified
in terms of money?!?)
  What could have prevented the loss of many lives?
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the 1990 earthquake left 4 valuable lessons: The
public needs to respond properly during earthquakes. Hazards and their effects should
be simulated. Building codes should be implemented properly and land use should be
carefully planned.

 What was the resulting damage as a percent of GNP for the year the
disaster happened?
It is estimated that 120,000 people were left homeless and property losses were
approximately 15 billion pesos. The flow of goods and supplies for famers and
manufacturers were choked and as a result people who barely noticed the event felt
their standard of living declining. The earthquake resulted in increased food prices and
higher unemployment rates.

 Did the disaster affect the performance of the country’s economy years
after it happened? How?
The earthquake placed a heavy burden on a nation already struggling with major
economic and other problems. The affected physical environment, cities, and towns,
villages, and transport and other networks, were rehabilitated for the economic and
social systems to return to normal.

 How much did the country spend for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation
works?
The costs of caring for evacuees (including construction of evacuation camps and
relocation centers) was at least 2.5 billion pesos ($US 93 million) in 1991-92 An
additional 4.2 billion pesos ($US 154 million) was spent during the same period on dikes
and dams to control lahars.

 What particular loss or damage cannot be recovered or repaired?

Some establishments destroyed included hotels like the Hyatt Terraces Plaza, Nevada
Hotel, Baguio Hilltop Hotel, Baguio Park Hotel, and FRB Hotel, although, every single
building could always be reconstructed or rebuilt, the loss of 2,142 people could never
be recovered.

 How justified are pre-disaster measures and expenditures?

All measures and the budget that went into government’s pre-disaster plans are well-
justified. These are the things that are considered an important part of governance,
which should primarily care for the welfare and safety of its constituents. Moreover, the
presence of well-budgeted disaster mitigation plans should be a priority, not only in the
national government, but also in the local government level.

1990 Luzon earthquake (2017, August) In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Luzon_earthquake

Ignacio A., Jakim P. (1990) Mission to Assist in Reconstruction and Development

After the Philippines Earthquake of 16 July 1990. Project PHI/90/ FO1, Available at
http://cidbimena.desastres.hn/pdf/eng/doc4250/doc4250-1.pdf

GWEN DE LA CRUZ (2014). Remembering the 1990 Luzon Earthquake. Rappler

IO. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/remembering-1990-luzon-earthquake

Fanger, C. (2019). FAST FACTS: The 1990 Luzon earthquake. Rappler IO

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-about-luzon-earthquake-1990

http://sharedtable.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/bundles/stfalcontinymce/blog/How
-much-did-the-country-spend-for-rescue%2C-relief-and-rehabilitation-works-in-1990-
Luzon-earthquake-9f30f9 (Walang nakalagay kung sino naggawa nito)