Developer of Casa Rosita ordered to halt operations

CEBU, Philippines - The cease and desist order ordered by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña against the Arcenas Development Corp., developer of the Casa Rosita subdivision, was formally served yesterday.

City Disaster Coordinating Council head councilor Gerardo Carillo said the order was served to the development corporation along with representatives from the Office of the Building Official and the City Planning and Development Office.

One of the walls of Casa Rosita gave way following heavy rains the other day and collapsed on a house, killing 49-year-old Whelma Parba.

“They were ordered to discontinue any development work except in the repair of the damage and other remedial measures to prevent the other parts of the wall from collapsing,” Carillo said.

Carillo also said while they are allowed to do the remedial measures they should not hire the same contractor.

Osmeña also said he will recommend the cancellation of the business permit of Undaloc Construction Corp. for being negligent in their job.

He said he was informed that the wall was supposed to be replaced but it was obvious that they had no intention of doing such considering that the wall was newly-painted.

“Its criminal negligence or just plain stupidity, there was really something wrong,” the Mayor said. Yesterday, the CDCC also said three families were evacuated due to a minor landslide in sitio Puti, barangay Buhisan.

A sighted low pressure area along with the southwest monsoon brought heavy rains early Sunday morning and flooded many parts of the city. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)