Excavation works ‘no cause for alarm’

CEBU, Philippines —  Two excavation works of the ongoing projects in Cebu City that damaged adjacent properties are not a cause for alarm, according to the Office of the Building Official (OBO).

“There is nothing to be alarmed about,” said Architect Florante Catalan, OBO chief, adding that the excavation works are being inspected twice a week.

The first inspection started Tuesday.

As for the structural integrity of the existing buildings, Catalan said, the inspection is done daily.

To prevent further damages to the properties near the construction site, OBO issued a cease and desist order against 13-story hotel and commercial facilities on Don Gil Garcia Street corner J. Llorente Street and 26-story condominium project on Gorordo Avenue.

On August 5, the back portion of the Juanita Building on Gorordo Avenue corner N. Escario Street collapsed after the ground reportedly weakened and softened due to the contractors’ alleged failure to comply with the adequate soil protection of the ongoing condominium project.

The building used to house the Social Security System office.

Last Thursday, OBO stopped the excavation works of the 13-story hotel and commercial facilities on Don Gil Garcia owing to the cracks on the roads near the construction site.

Based on the incident report of Phil Macro Development Corp. (PMDC), the contractor, the cracks estimated to be 5mm thick and 15m long started to appear on July 22.

Catalan said his office inspected the area last Thursday in response to the call of a concerned citizen.

The contractors, Catalan said, are already doing the mitigating efforts, such as backfilling the area, to prevent further damage.

Both ongoing projects have secured building permits and excavation permits from OBO, Catalan said.

 “We don’t approve excavation permits if there are lacking pertinent documents,” he said. — KQD (FREEMAN)