Earthquake. Tremor. Upheaval. Metro Manila is a bustling megacity of over 14 million people that rests on a ticking geological time bomb. The West Valley Fault, which traverses the heart of the metropolis, is ripe for a major movement. Seismologists warn that this fault moves roughly every 400 to 500 years. The last major earthquake occurred in 1658. This means that the region is well within the window for a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, colloquially feared as the “Big One.” Acco

The Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA) is calling on insurers to overhaul war-risk underwriting, strengthen investment and currency hedging strategies, and introduce relief measures for policyholders as oil prices surge and geopolitical risks intensify following the Middle East conflict. The Philippines is one of the economies most vulnerable to conflict in the Middle East, as it imports 98% of its oil from the region, prompting it to be the first country i

The Philippine pre-need industry saw its total net worth increase by 12.18% to PHP32.36bn ($528m) at the end of the first quarter of 2026, from PHP28.84bn recorded in the same period last year. Providing context for the increase, Philippine Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado said: “A significant contributor to this increase was the 18.99% growth in retained earnings, which accounted for 77.74% of the industry’s total net worth. This highlights the industry’s strong earn

Model management took centre stage on the opening day of the 22nd Asia Nat CAT and Climate Change Conference in Makati City, as industry experts discussed how risk models can remain effective in an increasingly complex environment shaped by climate change and cyber threats. During a panel discussion, speakers highlighted the need for greater transparency and understanding of modelling methodologies. JBA Risk Management Technical Director Dr Pradeep Mandapaka stressed the impo

On a Facebook post by the The Watchmen’s Earth and Space Connection, the Manila Trench swarm is a significant scientific event because of where it is occurring, but there is no confirmed indication that a major earthquake is imminent. Scientists will continue monitoring the swarm for changes in magnitude, frequency, and depth that could indicate evolving activity.