Last Friday, I was finally told to pick up at Phivolcs the fault certification that I applied for Nuvali. But first, let me tell you about a blunder that I made in my last post, I hinted that the Valley Fault System appears distant from Nuvali based on the last image that I attached. I was wrong.
Above is the last image that I attached to that post. The proximity of Barangays Pulong Sta. Cruz and Don Jose to each other as clearly indicated in the map and by comparing it with the GIS (Geographic Information System)-generated map below that I obtained from the City of Sta. Rosa, made me plot Bgy. Sto. Domingo where it shouldn’t be. As a result, I also mislabeled the Cavite-Laguna boundary.
These maps confused me and for that, I deeply apologize. You can say that I was biased and immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion out of sheer excitement thinking that my worst fear about this active fault relative to Nuvali is unfounded. By now, it should be apparent to you how much I admire Nuvali judging by the number of articles I’ve written about it.
Here are the facts:
- The map which I erroneously labeled covers only part of Laguna. Click here to see a complete version of this map in PDF format.
- On my first trip to Phivolcs, my objective was simply to do research on the Valley Fault System, I didn’t know that anyone can request for a fault certification for a certain project or property.
- Turned out that the most important requirement for such a certification is a hard copy of a topographical map where the project to be assessed should be “accurately” plotted. Without one, we settled with a Wikimapia Map of Nuvali which I emphasized is not 100% accurate; it’s an approximation of the Nuvali map at best.
With limited resources with which to base their assessment, Phivolcs geologists did the best they could to come up with the certification. They plotted in their system the map of Nuvali based on the approximate Wikimapia map. Although the certification may also be considered as an approximation because of the foregoing explanation, it appears that there’s a fault around 400 meters off the north-westernmost part of Nuvali and another one that traverses its south-westernmost tip. Again, this is unofficial.
The geologists could tell that I was disturbed by the result; they felt how strongly I felt about it. They then held a meeting for several minutes and decided not to release the certification.
Instead, they gave me a new map that covers much of Laguna. This one starts where the PDF map I asked you to see ends.
This time, I assure you that my tags are correct. This map clearly shows that Bgy Sto. Domingo, the gateway to Nuvali, is located much farther, around 4 to 5 kilometers, south-west from where it was first erroneously tagged and nearer to the fault than first thought.
The two most important places to consider to ascertain the location of Nuvali are the Canlubang Golf and Country Club and the Diezmo River. Also important is Bgy Laguerta which lies at the southernmost boundary of Nuvali.
Take a very close look at the shape of the Diezmo River on the map above and compare it to the image below, I am certain that the “rotund” is in the intersection of the 91/73 axes.
Here’s a navigable version of the map that you can play with. Again, examine the shape of the Diezmo River and compare it with the map given by Phivolcs.
Notice in the map given by Phivolcs that the Valley Fault System was not plotted. Here’s why: the Phivolcs geologists know how badly I feel if Nuvali or even just a part of it is indeed traversed by the fault, they know I am biased. They told me that they will make a second fault certification, free of charge, if I can accurately plot the exact outline of Nuvali using a topographical map similar to what they gave me. Only then will they plot the fault relative to the location of Nuvali.
Truth is, only a professional cartographer with access to the exact map of Nuvali can do that.
I think it’s no longer incumbent upon me to prove whether the Valley Fault System actually traverses Nuvali or just a part of it. Albeit I committed a blunder, I feel I’ve done more than I should to point out that there is probably a serious issue that must be addressed. And who can better clarify this matter than Ayala Land itself?
Did you know that last March, I even went to see the Mayor of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Hon. Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno to follow up on my “online” interview with her? Prior to the meeting, I emailed her a few questions about Sta. Rosa including the issue regarding the Valley Fault System. Here’s the picture of our meeting.
Unfortunately, I have yet to receive her answers in spite of several follow ups with her assistant.
I hope you understand my decision not to pursue this issue anymore. As lawyers would love to say, there is probable cause to pursue this case but I will not pretend that I have all the resources to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. The ball is no longer in my hands.
I will only change my mind if someone helps me obtain a topo map with an accurate outline of the borders of Nuvali that is acceptable to Phivolcs.
Thank you so much and again, my sincerest apology for making an error in my last post.
Acknowledgment: Thank you so much to Ms. Perla J. Delos Reyes, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of the Geology and Geophysics Division of Philvolcs, to Ms. Jed, Ms. Abby, Ms. Jayvie, Ms. Marose and to Sir Atoy for going over and beyond their normal responsibilities to accommodate my request and for enlightening me on matters which I know little about.
P.S. I was told repeatedly by Ms. Jed, also a geologist at Phivolcs, that there is no such term as “fault line;” the correct term is simply “fault.”
P.S.S. Thanks again.
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Thanks for this information, Ramon. Unfortunately, the link doesn’t show the fault relative to Nuvali and still leaves the issue unanswered. The fault plotted in your link goes only as far as “off” northwest of Forbes Boulevard.
Thanks a lot for dropping by, Ramon and my warmest regards.
hi there,
i found this website http://www.nigs.upd.edu.ph
where there is a link on the marikina valley fault. look at the right side and there it asked if your house is on top of the marikina valley fault. click on it and navigate to nuvali, sta. rosa. there are also links to flood maps plotted on google.
ramon
Duh, my bad again. You’re right. the fault is outside Nuvali, to the west towards the Tagaytay Ridge and both Avida developments are in the easternmost side of Nuvali. Thanks for the heads up.
“The fault is outside Nuvali, to the east, while Avida Settings is on the westernmost part making it and Avida Estates farthest from the fault.”
Hi Jun, are you sure the fault is on the east of Nuvali and Avida is on the West? Seems like it was swapped
436 meters off, to be exact; placing the fault almost half a kilometer away across the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.
Click this link to see where Avida Settings is located inside Nuvali. Put your cursor on the “cross hair” in the middle of your screen and the outline of Settings will light up in yellow. Move your cursor a bit around it and you will see the whole outline of Nuvali light up.
The fault is outside Nuvali, to the east, while Avida Settings is on the westernmost part making it and Avida Estates farthest from the fault.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks a lot for dropping by.
hi jun, i would like to ask if the avida settings is nearer to the Valley fault that you have discussed here… coz i do not know what part of nuvali is the avida settings, In my understanding you have learned that it is 400 meters off in the northwesrtenmostpart and another one in the southernmostpart of Nuvali.thanks very much for your concern…
Hello noy,
A topographical map with the valley fault system can be easily obtained at Phivolcs (they gave me one without the valley fault system). What’s difficult is obtaining an exact map of Nuvali that is of the same scale as the Phivolcs map and then accurately superimposing them. It’s an undertaking that only a certified cartographer can do.
What some people have done, using maps from various sources and superimposing the Nuvali map obtained from its sales materials is wrong. They are using two maps that are not in synch with each other.
I want to reiterate the unofficial findings of Phivolcs about this fault: no part of Nuvali was actually hit by the fault except the TIP of its south-westernmost part, that part which looks like a short dog tail.
Thanks for dropping by, noy
hi Jun,
thanks for the information , is there a picture of a superimposed map of nuvali and the map with the fault line? this would mak eit clear which areas of nuvali are indeed near or over the fault line
thanks
Hello Raffie,
The last time I was at Phivolcs, I was told by Ms. Perla J. delos Reyes, OIC of the Geology and Geophysics R&D Division, that if someone expresses concern if they live near a fault, I should direct him/her to their office. Here’s the address of Phivolcs and its contact details: PHIVOLCS Bldg., C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City. Telephone (Direct Line) 920.7058, Trunk Line 426.1468 loc. 119, 129, 148.
Kindly call her first and find out what are the things you should bring so you can apply for a fault certification for the places you want to be assessed.
I hope this suffices.
Thank you so much
I am continuing researching this faultline, cause Im residing here in Canlubang and here in Mayapa, Calamba city, please inform me more on this faultmaps, for future warnings and to know if our subdivision is located in this fault lines, I deeply appreciate all of this information, and it will help us to prepare for an event of a major earthquake disasters, please provide us more about this, thanks.
Email me for further information on this maps, Laguerta is also near to my subdivision.
@pusa21, I forgot to mention that your link to the UP Newsletter was especially useful. And my favorite part is this: “Lagmay states that to contribute to the development of a culture of safety, transparency is also necessary. An example is full disclosure by property developers of the underlying geology of their structures to the tenants and users of high-rise buildings, which is the practice in the United States.”
And it should not be limited to just vertical developers, it should also include those who are into horizontal ones.
Thanks for the tip on the link, you obviously know more about codes than I do.
it’s good to know where on the same page, jun.
please also remember that one of your blog reader, Nanette, said “no one knows how destructive these faults are”—it just prompted me to share that information from bulatlat.com.
so if your readers learned
- the active fault can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake
- the concept of minimum buffer zone from an active fault
then they can position and build their house accordingly. talk about living smart against natural hazards!
about that link, unfortunately, it seems your web program can not properly parse a URL address enclosed in a parenthesis and followed by a period. just remove the parenthesis at the end like this:
http://www.nigs.upd.edu.ph/
@pusa21, “We have to be smart about living with natural hazards because nature will not adjust to people. It is society that must adjust.”
i hope you understand my good intentions. thanks.
@Josee “the real issue here is actually preparedness in such an event.”
My last comment might be smack of fatalism, but it only applies to things or events we have no control of. But with possible problems that can be lessened through human intervention, like the two of you, I’m all for it. And I’m also a believer in the importance of Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Programs not just for earthquakes but for all types of disaster. Unfortunately, our government lacks a comprehensive one.
@pusa21, I’ve always known that you mean well and I thank you for your informative links. Can you please resend the correct link for the following http://www.nigs.upd.edu.ph/? It’s broken in your first comment.
@Josee, thanks a lot for your comment.
Jun, you said it right and I agree with your viewpoint 100 percent! Indeed, the Nuvali projects are probably doing so well that it is not unusual for people to look for some imperfection in it. I really do appreciate the time and effort you did in researching about this matter as this has raise awareness on how vulnerable our whole country is to an inevitable major earthquake, and that, the real issue here is actually preparedness in such an event. Cheers to you!
jun, i agree with you 100% that fear for natural disasters shouldn’t take away our zest for life. what i’m promoting here is how to LIVE SMART with natural hazards; for filipinos to build a CULTURE of SAFETY.
from http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?issue=62&i=1116
“We have to be smart about living with natural hazards because nature will not adjust to people. It is society that must adjust.”
i hope you understand my good intentions. thanks.
@pusa21, given the estimated casualty and damage the report you provided made, no one in Metro Manila and its outskirts is really safe when the Big One comes. If we dwell too much on it, we shall all live in constant fear and freeze us into inaction and I don’t want to live my life that way.
We all have so many problems in our hands already, to add such fear will only compound our problems.
Like I said in my post a long time ago, our lives should not depend on active faults, the melting of the ice caps or the sinking of the world’s great deltas. Our lives have been written long before we were woven in our mothers’ wombs. There’s a Power much greater than all these disasters combined. And it is this Great Power we should dwell on.
Thanks a lot
thanks, jun, for the reply about the minimum buffer zone from the active fault… by the way, phivolcs is expecting a 7.2 magnitude earthquake from this active fault:
http://bulatlat.com/news/4-27/4-27-bigone.html
@pusa21, the last thing I heard from Phivolcs is that they recommend a minimum buffer zone of 5 meters from both sides of the fault. Which means you can build a house near a fault as long as you don’t erect it within 5 meters from which it is located.
@Nanette, I don’t think I’ll be hearing anymore from Phivolcs. Let’s just ask ourselves, why would Phivolcs recommend a minimum buffer zone of only 5 meters from the fault? If these faults are really worth worrying so much about, why didn’t Phivolcs recommend a 10, 50 or even a 100-meter buffer zone? Just a thought.
@GK, I agree with you 100%. None of these matters if we take the whole country into consideration; there are faults all over the Philippines and we lie in the Pacific seismic belt or the Pacific Ring of Fire. The whole country is one big fault. If we keep worrying about these things, we might as well live under a rock. Personally, I am more worried about typhoons like Ondoy than earthquakes which no one can predict nor prevent.
Hi Jun, I will wait for more info from phivolcs. I hope that ALI will look into this matter. Not only nuvali should be wary about this fault but the surrounding area as well. We can see that that fault really goes all the way down to Calamba. But as I discussed in other forum, no one knows how destructive these faults are. ALI should know about this and make necessary actions. They should not develop the area with fault.
To pusa21 and Gerard aka GK, I will reply to your comments after I clarify a few more things with the Phivolcs people.
Thanks a lot to the two of you.
My warmest regards
Thanks for all the effort Jun. What you did was exemplary and goes over and beyond. It is obvious that there is a fault closer to Nuvali than previously discussed. None of this really matters in the scheme of things. If you look at that PDF map, the entire country is riddled with faults. If we worry about every little thing, we might as well stay home and not go out. That Ondoy disaster hit villages and areas that were previously thought flood-free. Look what happened to them. Is that reason enough for everyone to up and leave? No, they rebuilt and continued on with their lives. Thank you.
thanks for this report, jun. this will help unwary and unsophisticated consumers when considering purchasing property in nuvali.
thanks also for being objective even when it comes to nuvali and ayala developer. i have much higher respect for you than ever.
here’s a link of the interactive map that shows the fault from National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) http://www.nigs.upd.edu.ph/. please note that the fault is incomplete as it doesn’t extend up to the latitude of calamba area.
http://www.nababaha.com/marikina_fault/marikina_valley_fault.htm
for the complete trace of the fault, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority http://www.namria.gov.ph/ has some data on it with their Laguna Ground Rupture Hazard Map. their website is frequently down so i made a copy of it at below link:
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/7922/lagunagroundrupturehaza.jpg
i warned buyers of nuvali property about this fault in one forum and presented them data including the one from NAMRIA but it was not taken seriously (some even called me “insecure”. he he he). i hope it’s not too late and they can demand ayala to make safe and proper adjustment in their development.
thanks again.
p.s. in your discussion with phivolcs, did you happen to touch on the topic on what is the safe distance from a fault to build a house?