CEBU, Philippines - Three houses were damaged and at least seven more are in danger after a slope protector at a construction site for a high-rise condominium collapsed yesterday afternoon along General Maxilom Ave., Cebu City.
An estimated eight-meter high concrete riprap or slope protector for the construction of Horizon 101 Cebu, a high-rise condominium unit by the Taft Property Venture Development Corporation (Taft Property), collapsed yesterday, affecting the 10 houses built at the edge of the construction site.
Fely Pacheco, 61, who owned one of the three badly affected houses, told The FREEMAN they noticed cracks near their house since the construction started recently. She was thankful that her three grandchildren were able to get out safely. Their house was already leaning towards the construction pit at around 1:30 pm.
She said her grandchildren, DJ, 9, Deon Aliviado, 16 and Mark Diego, 12 managed to escape their house through the help of their uncle, Jade Javel, 34. Her grandchildren were watching television at the second floor when they heard loud creaking sounds outside their house.
A few minutes later, their house started to tip towards the construction pit prompting them to hide underneath their bed. They thought there was an earthquake. To their horror, the house continued to lean sideways so they decided to rush outside before the entire riprap totally collapsed.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued a cease and desist order against any construction or excavation activity at the site, said Alvin Santillana, Cebu City Local Risk Reduction Management Council (LRRMC) executive director.
Santillana said the design of the slope protector plus movement of the soil after being saturated with water, and the weight of the houses, may have caused it to collapse. Work on the project should not be rushed, he added, because this could put the lives of the construction workers in danger.
Residents of the 10 households have been evacuated. The LRRMC asked the assistance of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the police to assist in the evacuation efforts headed by the barangay officials. The affected residents will be housed in tents provided by the City Government.
Santillana said the Office of the Building Official (OBO) is currently coordinating with the Taft Property and their contractor for the excavation, ASDEC Builders Corporation which is based in Metro Manila.
Taft Property counsel Vincent Tomaneng said they will take care of the needs of the affected residents. If relocation is necessary, he added, Taft Property will be ready to spend for it.
He added that they are set to submit their plan of action regarding the incident to the OBO so that the cease and desist order will be lifted. “We are expecting it to be resolved in due time,” he said. –(FREEMAN)