Owner ordered to demolish gutted Pasay mall

 Citing that the remaining structures at the gutted Galleria Baclaran Mall in Pasay City pose a hazard to nearby residents and passersby, concerned city officials ordered its owner to immediately demolish the building.

City Engineer Edwin Javaluyas said they already sent Trans­national Construction Corp. a letter directing the firm to demolish the building, which was destroyed in a fire last Jan. 3.

“In the letter, we indicated for the operator not to allow tenants to come back and occupy the building. It is unsafe to do that,” Javaluyas said.

He added that Racquel Cruz, mall manager, also submitted a letter requesting the city government to condemn the building.

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad said a team from the City Engineer’s Office will have to check on the demolition activity once it is undertaken by a team that would be sent by the building owner.

A report submitted by Java­luyas to Trinidad showed that the remaining structures at the site are unsafe. A team from the City Engineer’s Office inspected the site and prevented vendors from going near the area after several traders set up stalls near the mall the day after the fire. The traders said there is no alternative site for them to do business. – Rhodina Villanueva