OBO orders stoppage order on bldg construction after pipe falls on man

CEBU, Philippines — Another construction work has been suspended by Cebu City’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) after an iron pipe from the building fell on a man who was just driving by on board his motorcycle.

The project, according to Cebu City’s information office, is a 12-floor mixed-use commercial/residential apartment building in Brgy. Mabolo, which is a neighboring barangay of Hipodromo where another project was also earlier suspended by OBO for some violations.

OBO chief Architect Florante Catalan, who personally checked the project site last Wednesday, saw some violations under the National Building Code along with his team.

“Gahapon naka-receive ta og complaint nga naa kunoy nahugan og tubo, nga ang nahugan naa pa gyud sa gawas nag-motor. So gi-check sa atong mga inspector gahapon, na-issue-han dayon nato og Notice of Violation,” Catalan said through the City’s PIO.

Aside from that, the construction area was found to have no safety catchers, and other safety measures have been neglected.

“So pagkakaron, ato gyud gi-actual og tan-aw kung unsa ba gyud ka safe o dili. Nakita nato walay safety catchers, less kaayo ang ilang mga safety measures, mao na nga Notice of Suspension ang atong gi-issue karong adlawa,” he added.

The work suspension will only be lifted once the contractor will be able to comply with the requirements set by OBO, which the contractor promised to do.

Catalan said they have not been remiss in their duty to remind contractors, architects, engineers, and developers regarding safety measures in their construction work for safety and security reasons.

“Wala baya ta nagkulang sa ilaha. Pirmi gyud ta magpahinumdom,” Catalan said.

Catalan encouraged them to put safety nets or catchers every after five floors if not the whole area if possible.

“Kung mahimo, in every five floors naa moy safety catchers, safety nets. Kung mahimo gani pusta ninyo og mga nets,” added Catalan, saying this will prevent construction work to have any further delays.

“If naa man ganiy mahulog masangit ra gyud to para malikayan ang ingon ani. Makahasol man gud ni siya kay ma-stop man gyud mo sa inyohang construction. So, para dili maingon ana comply lang ta,” Catalan ended. (CEBU NEWS)