AN 80-YEAR-OLD woman died, while 45 others were injured when a portion of a church in San Jose del Monte (CSJDM) City in Bulacan collapsed on Wednesday morning, February 14, 2024, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a press conference, PNP chief of the Public Information Office (PIO) Colonel Jean Fajardo said the church is already old and dilapidated, and this could be the reason for its collapse.

He said the investigation is ongoing.

The incident happened around 7 a.m. while a Mass for Ash Wednesday was ongoing.

“Kaninang pasado alas syete ng umaga sa kalagitnaan ng Ash Wednesday Mass sa St. Peter Apostle Parish Church, Barangay Tungkong Mangga, CSJDM, Bulacan, ay gumuho ang bahagi ng ikalawang palapag ng naturang simbahan,” the CSJDM PIO said.

(Part of the second floor of the church collapsed past 7 a.m. while an Ash Wednesday Mass was ongoing at St. Peter Apostle Parish Church, Barangay Tungkong Mangga, CSJDM, Bulacan.)

“Ayon sa mga saksi, may tumili nang malakas na sinundan ng sigawan, at tuluyan nang gumuho ang bahagi ng second floor. Sa kasalukuyan, nagpapatuloy ang clearing operations sa lugar,” it added.

(According to witnesses, someone screamed loudly, followed by shouting, and part of the second floor completely collapsed. Currently, clearing operations are ongoing in the area.)

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, San Jose del Monte City Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Engineering Office, City Traffic Management-Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, City Health Office, and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office immediately responded to the incident.

CSJDM Mayor Arthur Robe said the City will shoulder all the medical expenses of the victims. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)