OBO reminds developers:  Ensure safety of construction sites

CEBU, Philippines — Developers and contractors with projects in Cebu City are reminded by the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to always ensure the safety of their construction sites.

This came after OBO ordered the suspension of work for the exterior portion of a 36-floor condominium project in Barangay Hipodromo last Tuesday.

The suspension came after an aluminum platform fell on one of the houses near the project. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the said incident last Monday.

“Wa man ta nagkuwang sa ilah. Nag-remind gyud ta pirmi sa mga contractors, sa mga construction nga ingon ani, ayaw gyud ninyo kanang tihika ang safety,” stressed OBO chief Archt. Florante Catalan.

Catalan added that safety measures should always be put in place and a safety officer should always be on the site.

“Maliban nga naa moy safety officer on the site, naa pud gyud tong mga safety measures on the site para malikayan ang ingon ani nga sitwasyon,” Catalan said.

The suspension order on the condominium development stays until the incident report that OBO has asked from the developer, particularly the head of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and safety officer, has been received, which includes mitigating measures that have been put in place.

“Magdepende sa ilaha, kong dili sila mu submit, dili sila mo pakita ug mitigating measures how to make it safe..awww wala say resume sa trabaho…Suspend sa area nga nay nahulog..The rest of the area inside the building, pwede ra sila makatrabaho…Mga exterior works wala sah kay naa lagiy nahulog..ato sang ipa protect daan before nato iresume ang trabaho didto,” Catalan said.

Over a year ago, OBO ordered the suspension of the construction works of the said project also for safety standards violations but had resumed after complying with the requirements. — /ATO (FREEMAN)