Two Serendra still fit for occupancy after repair

MANILA, Philippines - The Two Serendra condominium, damaged by an explosion on May 31, can still be occupied provided it would be properly repaired, an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday.

DPWH-Bureau of Design chief Gilbert Reyes said the inspection and findings of their team of structural engineers at the Two Serendra condominium in Taguig City revealed there was no need to tear down the existing residential building.

Reyes said the DPWH team has already completed its report on the structural integrity of the building and submitted their findings to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II last week.

“In general, there was no problem. It can still be occupied, it just needs to undergo repairs because it suffered damages such as the ceiling, windows and the utilities. They need to repair the architectural features,” Reyes said.

He added the structure of the building remains intact despite the explosion.

The explosion on the evening of May 31 knocked out the wall of unit 501, located on the fifth floor of Two Serendra, sending a huge chunk of concrete crashing to the street below where it crushed a passing delivery van, killing its three occupants.

The tenant of the condominium unit where the explosion occurred was critical injured.

“The damage was not that extensive,” Reyes said.

The DPWH did not look into the gas pipeline since the task was given to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).