Tuesday, August 28, 2007 Check bridges, skywalks: councilors to OBO
CEBU City’s councilors want the safety and structural integrity of all bridges, skywalks and flyovers in the city checked to avoid accidents similar to those that happened abroad.
The City Council passed a resolution last Wednesday requesting the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to inspect similar infrastructure and submit an inspection report not later than Sept. 13.
Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias proposed the resolution following the collapse of the Mississippi River bridge in Minnesota, United States earlier this month, killing at least nine people.
He also cited the collapse of the 140-foot high bridge spanning the Tuo River in central Hunan City in Fenghuang, China where 28 people were confirmed dead while countless others were injured.
“The cause of the collapse of the two bridges is still being investigated especially since there were unconfirmed reports that the bridges were structurally deficient. To avoid similar incidents in Cebu City, it is imperative that the OBO inspects all bridges, skywalks and flyovers here,” Cabarrubias said.
The council also asked the OBO to submit a report whether the bridges, skywalks and flyovers constructed within the city have building permits as required by the National Building Code.
Republic Act 6541 or the National Building Code requires “any person, firm or corporation including any department, office, bureau, agency of instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, shall obtain a building permit from the building official for whichever of such work is proposed to be undertaken for the building or structure, before any such work is started.”
Copies of the council resolution will also be distributed to the OBO, City Planning and Development Office and the Association of Barangay Councils for possible inputs. (LCR)
