Manila: Property developers, home owners and Philippine authorities are alarmed by the inclusion of their respective areas on a map released by a government agency, which warns of a major disaster if Metro Manila’s two dangerous fault lines move.

The earth movement would trigger a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, kill 33,000, maim 100,000, and result in damages estimated at P2.3 trillion (Dh191.6 billion), sources said.

The Valley Fault System Atlas, released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is now like a “can of worms” an official with knowledge of the matter said, adding it reveals in micro details subdivisions, developments, public infrastructure, and government-owned structures in Bulacan, Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, which will be affected in the event of an earthquake in Metro Manila.

“In the past, Phivolcs was prevailed upon from releasing the Atlas because major and expensive developments have been allowed to rise on fault lines,” a Phivolcs insider told Gulf News.

In a positive response, the local government of Makati City, whose tall buildings are the country’s pride, will soon release a new zoning ordinance based on the areas identified in the atlas as likely to be affected by the movement of the 100 kilometre West Valley Fault and the 10-kilometre East Valley Fault in Metro Manila, said Merlina Panganiban, head of Makati City’s Urban Development Department.

Makati City’s Pembo Elementary School, which has 6,000 students, was found to be nine metres away from the West Valley Fault Line; Tibago School in Makati City’s East Rembo Village, 25 metres from the same fault line, said Panganiban, adding, “Buildings, houses, and structures on fault-lines will be removed. Fault lines will remain as open spaces with 10 metre easement.”

“Leaders of all local government units have the same mindset to prevent catastrophic effects of a major disaster expected to happen,” Panganiban added.

“Many people are thinking of transferring to safer villages, guided by the Atlas. There will be losses in real estate investments,” said Dr Sonia Estabillo who stays with her sister and brother-in-law in posh Cinco Hermano Village near Marikina.

Two middle class subdivisions of Filinvest, near the House of Representatives, in northern suburban Quezon City, teeter on fault lines.

“Expensive properties marked by Atlas as dangerous places will lose their value,” said Raul Media whose house at Filinvest subdivision is owned by a sister based in the United States.

“The Atlas can guide us what to sell and what not to sell,” said Rachel Yu, a real estate broker.

“The Atlas is a guideline. Buildings or structures should not be built five meters on either side of an active fault line,” explained Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr.

“The Atlas can save lives,” Undersecretary Alexander Pama, head of the National Disaster Risk reduction and Management Council. (NDRRMC), said.

The Philippines is part of Asia-Pacific’s “Ring of Fire” where earthquakes commonly occur.