Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Legislative bldg. safe: official
DESPITE defects visible inside the legislative building, the Cebu Provincial Engineer’s Office says the building is “structurally safe.”
Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre appeared before the Provincial Board (PB) during the regular session yesterday to explain the condition of the building.
PB Members earlier complained of the building’s dilapidated tiles, defective moldings and leaking roof.
The Office of the Vice Governor barely escaped a tragedy when a molding from its ceiling fell two weeks ago. Luckily, it fell early in the morning, before employees came in for work.
But Pelayre told the board that the building is safe.
PB Member Agnes Magpale was wary of its safety after an intensity four earthquake shook Cebu last week.
Magpale was inside the building along with PB Members Juan Bolo (1st district) and Wenceslao Gakit (6th district).
Shaking
“In light of the recent earthquake, how safe is the building because it shook like it was intensity seven?” Magpale asked Pelayre.
An indication that it was safe was that the glass curtain façade of the building did not break, which would have been the very first to give way, explained Pelayre.
Immediately after the earthquake, he directed his staff to make a thorough inspection of the building.
“There were no traces that the building was structurally affected,” Pelayre told the board.
“But what is noticeable even without earthquake are that the floors make a sound when we pass by,” said Bolo.
Pelayre said that the defect is a major item that the contractor, Dakay Construction, should be repairing. This can also be corrected since the province has yet to sign a notice of completion or acceptance.
With this, PB Member Wilfredo Caminero asked who would be responsible for the repairs.
Pelayre said that the Provincial Government will handle the job through its maintenance group.
He noted 12 items that need repair in the building but the major works are on the floor tiles and water proofing of the roof decks.
The legislative building is already 99.07 percent finished, according to the assessment of the office.
This means that the balance left to be paid to Dakay construction is P574,627.8 out of the P61.8 million contract.
Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez asked Pelayre if the balance will suffice for the needed work. He said that they are still evaluating the job.
Observations
Pelayre also sent Dakay a letter indicating the job needed but he is still awaiting answer from the company.
Sanchez then invited Pelayre to his office to show the provincial engineer cracks in columns and the defective moldings.
“Try to secure this para dili mahadlok ang atong board members,” said Sanchez.
But the concern is not just on the safety of PB members. Caminero said that senior citizens might stumble while walking inside the building because of cracks on the tiles, saying that it’s like walking on a rocky ground.
PB Member Jose Ma. GAstardo also noted defect on lavatory faucets while Bolo noticed paints that were starting to peel off.
“Is it still premature to blacklist Dakay for other provincial projects?” Bolo asked.
