87 orphans now homeless

CEBU, Philippines - 87 orphans and 5 nuns would have to find another shelter after the Cebu City Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has recommended the condemnation of the 7-year-old orphanage located in a mountain sitio in Barangay San Jose, Cebu City.

DEPW inspectors discovered that the entire structure of the “Our Bonita House for Girls” orphanage has been built with substandard materials.

This was discovered after a portion of the orphanage riprap collapsed last Wednesday evening in Purok 3.

Engr. Danny Sabarre told The FREEMAN that when the riprap collapsed, they discovered that the contractor used thin iron bars which are not advisable for such kind of construction.

He said that the occupants of the orphanage should evacuate as soon as possible and “condemn” the building. The inspectors also discovered that the soil surrounding the orphanage is very soft and muddy.

The orphanage which is located on top of a mountain was said to have first been constructed by a contractor led by a certain Engr. “BD” Daan who ran away with around P10 million in 2004.

After Daan left without finishing the construction, a certain Architect Boy Migallen took over the construction and finished the four-story building.

Orphanage directress, Sr. Julieta Preagido of the Franciscans Sisters of the Sacred Hearts said they have reported the incident to their superiors in Manila who are scheduled to arrive within the week to asses their situation. 

Sr. Preagido said they spent over P50 million for the building which was funded by their German benefactors.

The orphanage directress said their biggest problem is finding a place to house the 87 girls who are under their care. The orphanage has 13 employees and 5 nuns.

When the riprap collapsed at around 10:00 p.m. last Wednesday evening, the residents of the orphanage thought that they were hit by lightning.

But upon checking, the sisters discovered that three stories of riprap have collapsed. Minutes after the collapse, the sisters of the orphanage took their girls out of the building and brought them to the Order of Augustinian Discalced (OAD) compound who offered them shelter.

They are now looking for a place where they can house their girls who are all studying in grade school, high school and college.

The youngest orphan is a four-month-old infant. (FREEMAN)