Bulacan priests, building execs told to inspect churches

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan, Philippines — Parish priests under the diocese of Malolos should ensure the structural intregrity of their churches in preparation for the Lenten season.

Bishop Dennis Villarojo issued the directive after a woman died and more than 50 other people were injured when the floor of the balcony of the St. Peter the Apostle parish church in Barangay Tungkong Mangga in this city collapsed on Wednesday.

Villarojo noted that ”a great number” of devotees come to church for Lenten celebrations every year.

Mayor Arthur Robes said he also ordered city building officials to inspect old churches and schools in the city.

Pavel Halog of the city building office said the collapsed portion of the balcony of the St. Peter the Apostle church, which was four meters wide, three meters long and three meters high, was “evidently infested with termites.”

The church is said to be more than 30 years old.

Robes assured the victims of the accident that the city government would shoulder their medical expenses as well as the funeral services of the fatality.

Six of the injured remained confined in various hospitals yesterday.

A report on GMA News said among the critically injured are an 82-year-old and a 64-year-old.

The fatality was identified as Luneta Morales, a member of the church choir.