Serendra permanently shuts down LPG system of units

MANILA, Philippines - Saying  that it cannot "ensure the continuing compliance by individual unit owners with the required safety measures within their units," Serendra Inc., the developer of the One Serendra and Two Serendra condominiums inside the Bonifacio Global City, has recommended the permanent closure of the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the buildings.

"Serendra Inc., developer of Serendra, has advised the Serendra Condominium Corp. that it strongly recommends a permanent closure of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) system. The developer also disclosed that its position is borne out of its inability to fully control and ensure the continuing compliance by individual unit owners with the required safety measures within their units," Serendra Inc. said in a statement.

"Mindful that its position may be unpopular and inconvenient for the Serendra community, the developer nonetheless considers the safety of the community as the paramount consideration for its recommendation," it added.

Jorge Marco, Ayala Land Inc. corporate communications head,  confirmed that the shutdown is permanent and that unit owners are advised to shift to using electric stoves.

"Yes it is permanent. There was always an option to go electric," said Marco.

Marco added that the move to shut off the LPG supply was  also meant to comply with the order of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas for an LPG supply shut off and the conduct of a thorough check of the LPG system in the entire Serendra complex.

On June 8, following the powerful blast that rocked unit 501 at the Two Serendra on May 31, the LPG supply to One Serendra was cut to allow a thorough inspection and series of tests to ensure the safety and integrity of the system.

The supply to Two Serendra was shut off minutes after the explosion which killed three men and injured several others, including 63-year old Angelito San Juan, tenant of unit 501.

Meanwhile, Raymond Fortun, lawyer of the unit 501 owner Mariane Cayton slammed Ayala Land for putting the blame on the unit owners. Serendra Inc. is an affiliate of Ayala Land Inc.

"The legal implication is that Ayala itself is not confident in the gas system. They cannot put the blame on the unit owners to comply with the safety measures such as maintenance and working condition of gas detectors," Fortun said.

"As the building manager, Ayala has the authority and power to conduct periodic checks of these safety devices or demand compliance with them. Even government agencies have the power to conduct inspections, why not the building manager?" he added.

Fortun added that by encouraging unit owners to shift to using electric stoves, Ayala Land Inc. admits that their gas system is unreliable.

"By shifting to electric despite an ability to make periodic checks, Ayala impliedly admits that their gas system is unreliable and shiuld be shut down," he added.