No segment of the Metro Manila Subway Project would run over the West Valley Fault, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has assured the public.

Phivolcs issued the assurance after photos tracing the route of the subway project was posted online and triggered concerns that the segment along Cayetano Boulevard appeared to “line up” with the West Valley Fault.

The said fault is seen to be ripe for another movement that could trigger a massive quake.

But a closer look at the latest project map submitted to Phivolcs for hazard assessment shows that the planned subway runs parallel but avoids the West Valley Fault.

“Hindi po dinadaanan ng fault yung ating Metro Manila Subway Project. Kung magbobore underground or magcoconstruct, ang fault ay hindi tinatamaan ng kahit anong segment ng subway project,” Phivolcs Geologist Mabel Abigania told ABS-CBN News.

(The fault line does not overlap with the Metro Manila Subway Project. If we will bore or construct underground, the fault line will not hit any segment of the subway project.)

“Ang ibig sabihin nito, sakaling gumalaw ang ating West Valley Fault, yung structure natin would be safe from ground rupture o pagbitak ng lupa,” she added.

(This means that if the West Valley Fault moves, our structure would be safe from ground rupture or cracking of the ground.)

But Phivolcs said the planned subway system, similar to other structures in Metro Manila, still has to be structurally sound to withstand ground shaking from a strong quake.

"Ang ikakatakot natin diyan yung mataas na pagyanig, which is Intensity 8. But then again, the whole of Metro Manila will experience intensity 8. So malayo ka man o malapit sa West Valley Fault, nasa Manila ka man o part ng Rizal, intensity 8 pa rin ang mararanasan mo," Abigania said.

(We fear the high earthquake Intensity 8. But then again, the whole of Metro Manila will experience intensity 8. Even if you are far or near the West Valley Fault, even if you're in Manila or Rizal, you will still experience intensity 8.)

"Ang importante lang dito yung disenyo na makakawithstand siya na hindi sya masisira. Or at least hindi babagsak yung structure, pag nag-intensity 8 tayo."

(The important thing is that the design would withstand an earthquake or at least it won't collapse if we experience intensity 8.)

The Department of Transportation is optimistic that its partner Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), would be able to address this concern.

"Because of Japan’s extensive experience and expertise in designing, building, and operating safe and reliable subway systems under seismic conditions that are more challenging than Metro Manila," DOTr Undersecretary TJ Batan said.

The subway system, which will run from Mindanao Avenue in the north to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex, costs P356.96 billion.

Its construction is set to begin in the last quarter of this year and is expected to be fully operational by 2025.