MANILA, Philippines - Ayala Land has shut down the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution system in all Serendra buildings in Taguig City, where one condo unit exploded due to a possible gas leak.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said he was told by Ayala Land President Tony Aquino that the Serendra Condominium Corporation has agreed to shut down the entire system, which had been completed on Sunday.
"They have shut down the gas system, at least in the condominiums under their control - the Serendra system... They are doing a complete check of each one so that their own residents, their buyers, their clients, can be sure as to the safety," Roxas said in a television interview on Monday morning.
He added that his office is also coordinating with the Taguig City local government unit on the checking of the LPG system.
On Friday, Roxas revealed the findings of the investigation on the fatal blast that ripped through a unit at Two Serendra condominium building, declaring that it was "most likely" caused by LPG and not by a bomb.
He disclosed that the Serendra blast is "consistent with" the characteristics of a gas explosion.
Related story: LPG 'most likely' caused Two Serendra blast
Ayala Land had insisted that the centralized LPG pipeline in Serendra is safe.
"The gas system is supposedly one of the most environmental-friendly systems... The use of LPG is something universal in most of other countries all over the world," Aquino said in a televised phone interview last week.
The explosion on the night of May 31 ripped a big slab of concrete wall from Unit 501-B of the condominium building and sent it crashing onto a closed delivery van passing by McKinley Parkway Road.
The van's driver, Salimar Natividad and two helpers -- Jeffrey Umali and Marlon Bandiola -- were immediately killed.
Five other people were injured including the unit's tenant, 63-year old Angelito San Juan, who sustained second degree burns in 72 percent of his body.
The victim is still confined at the intensive care unit of the St Luke's Medical Center at the Bonifacio Global City.