Total insurance sought for 14 structures

CEBU, Philippines - To also include earthquake coverage, the Cebu City government is now applying for a comprehensive insurance before the Government Service Insurance System for at least 14 structures damaged by last year’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

Right now, the General Service Office, the technical assistant of the City Mayor, has already enrolled the 14 structures that they annually ensure with GSIS, after GSO has finally complied with the necessary requirements.

GSO, through its former General Services officer Rolando Ardosa, has secured building requirements from the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

In a letter dated Dec. 6, 2013, Ardosa asked DEPW through City Engineer Kenneth Enriquez to provide them the building requirements of the 14 structures, which would support their claim application to GSIS.

These include the structures’ detailed restoration cost estimate, contract agreement with the contractors, copy of building permit or other documents to establish original construction date and structural assessment by the structural engineer.

Some of the city-owned structures that were among those damaged by the earthquake include the Pardo Public Market; five-storey condominium building – Cebu City dormitory for students; desalination and sewage treatment plant and SRP utilities building; two-storey Carbon Public Market; Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council Building; and City Hall’s eight-storey annex building.

Last year, GSO paid P1.6 premium to GSIS for the damaged buildings.

GSO this time applied for a comprehensive insurance for the buildings since there is no earthquake coverage on the insurance.  —/JMD (FREEMAN)