Trinidad wants razed Pasay mall torn down

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad said the Galleria Baclaran Mall, which was razed in a fire two weeks ago, will have to be demolished.

Trinidad said a report submitted to him by the City Engineer’s Office showed that the remaining structure at the site, is unsafe and “it is not advisable for vendors to continue doing business there.”

He said he will forward his recommendation to the owner of the gutted building so the demolition of the remaining structures can be carried out as soon as possible.

“The establishment owner would have to act on our recommendation immediately, or else they would not be issued a permit to operate by the city government if they fail to clear the area first and develop a new building before doing business there,” Trinidad said.

A team from the City Engineer’s Office led by engineer Edwin Javaluyas earlier inspected the site and made sure vendors did not go near the affected area.

Trinidad said it is imperative to check the condition of the posts and structures left after the fire. He fears that the building might collapse at any moment and endanger the lives of those who linger in the area.

Several vendors immediately set up their stalls near the gutted mall after the fire was put out. They claimed there is no alternative site for them to do business.

A week ago, several stalls near the mall and under the Light Rail Transit (LRT) were dismantled by personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG).

Roberto Esquivel, head of the MMDA-SCOG, said the presence of illegal vendors in the area is a major threat to the train’s operations. He said since several of the stores directly under the LRT are engaged in the grilled food business, LRT cables are therefore exposed to heat, which may start a fire.

Esquivel said LRT officials earlier asked them for help concerning the presence of illegal stalls at the LRT’s Baclaran station. – Rhodina Villanueva