Probe set on collapse of Pangasinan gym section

BASISTA, Pangasinan - The mayor of this town is set to investigate the collapse of half of the bleachers section of the gymnasium here Friday morning, injuring 57 people, mostly children.

Mayor Jesus Perez said the incident happened during the first day of their five-day fiesta wherein a field demonstration (drum and lyre exhibition) was about to start.

Perez said that the bleachers collapsed due to overloading.

The mayor assured the public that the city government would shoulder the expenses of those injured.

The injured were rushed to the nearby Bayambang District Hospital (BDH) in Bayambang town. They were discharged from the hospital five hours after treatment.

It was learned by The STAR that the construction of the gymnasium, funded by the municipal government, was completed only last March 5.

The wood used in the bleachers was taken from the old town market. But the mayor said the lumber used was still sturdy because it was the concrete posts of the bleachers that caved in.

"Maaari sigurong kulang pa sa curing period 'yong semento tapos sobrang daming tao kaya nagkaganoon," Perez said.

He said he would seek the assistance of the engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways in the investigation.

The gym's engineering design, specifications and construction were done by the municipal engineering office headed by Engineer Pedro de Guzman.