From August 13 to 15, 2025, the Architecture Department of the Infrastructure & Industrial Development Division of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global, Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) hosted a workshop in Manila, Philippines, on Japanese seismic retrofitting technologies.

The workshop brought together about 60 participants, including officials from the Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—with representatives from UPMO, BOD, BOC, and BRS—members of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), and local consultants such as Petro Jikken, TCGI, and EH Sison. The event is expected to provide a foundation for developing future national guidelines on seismic retrofitting in the Philippines.

Workshop Lecturers and Participants

Background and Objectives

The workshop was held as part of the World Bank’s Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) – Firm 4, in which OC Global is engaged. Under this project, OC Global is responsible for the detailed design of seismic retrofitting for 172 public schools and health facilities, as well as construction supervision for 212 facilities through 2028.

The workshop introduced several innovative Japanese retrofitting technologies applied in the project and aimed to help public officials involved in design, review, and approval processes—as well as engineers responsible for retrofitting design—become more familiar with advanced methods that ensure both safety and practicality.

Opening Remarks

The workshop began with remarks from Director Soledad Florencio (DPWH-UPMO-BSPMC). This was followed by Project Manager Masato Kawai from OC Global’s Architecture Department, who stressed the importance of developing designs that are not only structurally safe but also practical and efficient to implement. He emphasized that “advanced” does not necessarily mean “complicated,” and highlighted how adopting such technologies can shorten construction periods while improving efficiency.

Lecturers included Professor Yuji Ishiyama (Emeritus Professor, Hokkaido University) and engineers from OC Global’s Architecture and Road Engineering Departments.

Opening Remarks
By Director Soledad Florencio
From DPWH UPMO-BSPMC

Opening Remarks
By Mr. Kawai Masato
From Architecture Department at OC Global

Program Highlights

The workshop consisted of three sessions:

1. Overview of retrofitting policies and practices in Japan and globally, including case studies from Manila.
2. Discussion of advanced methods, including nonlinear analysis, integration of new and conventional technologies, and the introduction of OC Global’s SAFE TOOL (Selection of Appropriate Framework for Enhancement), which provides guidance on selecting retrofit strategies.
3. Technical presentations on specific technologies such as steel panel dampers, buckling-restrained braces, and toggle bracing systems, along with the introduction of OC Global’s Central Review Checklist designed to streamline approval procedures.

Conclusion

The workshop provided a valuable platform for open exchange between engineers and government officials, fostering a deeper understanding of how advanced Japanese technologies can help strengthen the resilience of public infrastructure in the Philippines.

OC Global remains committed to enhancing seismic resilience and supporting engineering capacity development in the Philippines through the research and application of cutting-edge technologies.