Magpale wants inspection of Legislative Building

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the declaration that edifices inside the Capitol compound are safe after the 6.9 magnitude quake that hit Cebu last Monday, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale wants the Legislative Building to be inspected.

Magpale yesterday told reporters that she already wrote Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre to get a certified structural engineer to assist in the inspection of the four-storey building.

Magpale feared for the safety of the building which houses the offices of the Vice Governor, Provincial Board members, PB Session Hall and other provincial offices.

The ground and second floors are rented by the Department Agrarian Reform.

Magpale found many cracks in the building and compared it to the main Capitol building which houses the executive offices, which she said is very sturdy.

The Provincial Capitol was constructed in 1937 and was inaugurated on June 14, 1938 by Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.

The capitol was damaged during World War II but was eventually rehabilitated under the Tydings War Damage Act of 1946.

Pelayre said that when the earthquake hit last Monday, the Capitol building shook but there were no cracks that can be attributed to the quake.

Pelayre explained that the cracks at the Legislative Building which Magpale referred to, were not caused by the earthquake.

He said that what can be seen are traces of sealant used in water proofing of the building.

Right after the quake, Pelayre said he even told Provincial Secretary Aniceta Pasaylo to resume office works but Magpale already ordered employees to leave the offices.

Magpale said that at the height of evacuation, they made it orderly by passing through the fire exits on the both sides of the building.

“Somebody keeps shouting nga way mo-panic, hinay hinay lang,” Magpale narrated how they managed to escape last Mondy.

Her office is located at the fourth floor of the Legislative Building.

While the elevator was shut off, some employees used the main stairway orderly, Magpale added.

Posters bearing earthquake safety tips are now noticeably posted in strategic areas of the Legislative Building. (FREEMAN)