Talisay eng'g office closes school building

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Engineering Office has closed a three-story building in San Roque Elementary School after it found big cracks during a recent inspection.

City engineer Audie Bacasmas said closing the building, which houses nine classrooms, would prevent accidents from happening.

Based on their inspection last week, Bacasmas said some of the posts of the 16-year-old building show cracks brought by last Feb. 6’s intensity 6.9 earthquake.

Bacasmas said the documents of edifice are being checked to identify its contractor as well as evaluate the damage.

School principal Lolita Lim said she had ordered the closure of the third floor last July when cracks started to show on a wall. She said the entire building shakes every time big trucks pass by.

The school building was used by pupils from Grades four to six and now that it’s closed, Lim said schedule of classes have been changed, with students attending classes in shifts.

The first shift starts at 6 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. while the second shift starts at 12:30 p.m. and stretches until late in the afternoon. - THE FREEMAN