Building developer cleared in EDSA mishap

The Mandaluyong City engineering office virtually absolved of any culpability yesterday the developer and contractor of a 30-story building in connection to a vehicular accident last Nov. 1, which left nine people dead and five others hurt.

However, Engr. Conrad Anciado, head of the City Engineering Office, recommended the passing of an ordinance to protect motorists and pedestrians near construction sites and the putting up of a surety bond that will cover expenses in restoring abandoned excavated sites to their former condition.

"As far as I’m concerned, I found no violation committed by the Globe Asiatique in the incident," Anciado told The Star.

He was tasked by Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. to conduct a probe after a passenger jeepney plunged into a 70-foot hole at the construction site along EDSA near Boni Avenue.

Abalos also ordered the stoppage of work on the construction site pending the result of Anciado’s investigation.

In his two-page report to Abalos, the city engineer said the perimeter fence of the construction site was made of steel and galvanized iron.

There was a clearance of approximately one meter from the perimeter fence to the walkway railings which was used as a barrier for the construction, he said.

At the back of the construction site, which is Sierra Madre street, there also exists a perimeter fence made of steel and galvanized iron. There is a warning sign installed, informing pedestrians of a deep excavation within the area, the engineer said.

Anciado said the jeepney (PYC-197) rammed the northern portion of the perimeter fence of Globe Asiatiquewhen it lost control.

Witnesses told Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief, the jeepney was running at high speed before it plunged into the 70-foot hole.

Velasquez said no witnesses have surfaced to corroborate the statement of a survivor, Daniel Destura, 7, that the passenger jeep was bumped from behind by a public utility bus prior to the incident.

Abalos had shelled out P280,000 for funeral and hospitalization expenses of the 14 victims. Only two of the survivors remained at the Victor Potenciano Medical Center. The contractor of the building also pledged P200,000 humanitarian help to the victims.

In his recommendation, Anciado called for the enactment of an ordinance that will protect motorists and passersby by putting concrete barriers or pedestals within the excavation site with a depth of five meters or above.

He said the City Council should also pass an ordinance requiring owners, developers and contractors doing excavation works to post a surety bond that will cover expenses in case of abandonment of work.