Caloocan to recommend demolition of razed mall

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government is reportedly set to recommend to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) inter-agency anti-arson task force that the Ever Gotesco Grand Central mall be immediately torn down.

 “The outcome of our team’s initial inspection of the Gotesco building showed that its structural soundness was weakened by the fire and we would recommend its immediate demolition,” an employee of the city government’s building office, who asked not to be named, told The STAR yesterday.

He said the city government sent a team of experts to the mall Thursday to test the building’s structural viability, upon the request of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Caloocan City administrator Russell Ramirez, confirmed yesterday that Mayor Enrico Echiverri created a “team of experts” to determine the integrity of the mall building structure.

“The building was totally damaged and it would be very dangerous for ordinary individuals to enter and move around because of falling debris,” Ramirez said, but added that the city government’s inspection team were consolidating their reports yesterday and will only come up with an official recommendation on Monday.

He said there are laws to be considered before the city government can finally give the task force its actual recommendation.