A FAILED treasure hunt has damaged the Baguio Convention Center.
Contractor David Sanchez of AMO-EGB disclosed the extent of damage is still unknown and advises city officials to investigate the matter before sealing holes found at the pavement.
Sanchez said there are holes on the basement which they refuse to fill until the extent of damage is determined.
The contractor faced the City Council on Monday with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and City building officials to update councilors on the status of rehabilitation of the convention center in a bid to help solve the impasse between the plans made by the city technical working team and the DPWH.
A treasure hunting activity by Eliseo Cabusao was earlier rejected by the DPWH saying the search could affect the structure of the building.
Vice-Mayor Edison Bilog said Cabusao must be summoned and made to pay for the damages.
Cabusao is the lone treasure hunter who has acquired a permit from the National Museum carrying with him a Treasure Hunting and Disposition of Recovered Treasures Permit which was upheld by the local council despite the local environmental code which bans treasure hunting in the city.
Cabusao believes the fabled Yamashita treasure is at the area of the convention center and crafted a sharing scheme for the city with 35 percent going to the city, 30 percent to the National Government through the National Museum and the remainder going to him.
Information of the buried gold was shared to Cabusao by a 90-year-old Baguio born half Japanese man who has been a resident of the United States since the mid 70’s who pointed gold was deposited inside a tunnel somewhere in the vicinity of the convention center.
Councilor Elaine Sebrano is also calling for Cabusao saying “as per agreement with the city government, the treasure hunter must restore or repair damages done to the convention center caused by the treasure hunting activity to avoid litigation.”
The DPWH said treasure hunting activities for the fabled Yamashita gold will compromise the stability of the convention center. When the rehabilitation work started, holes were found in the building.
Sanchez said a letter was given to the DPWH on the matter of the treasure hunting damage and apprehensions on safety of the structure before they can fully implement rehabilitation work on the convention center.
The contractor fears the void left by the treasure hunt has affected the soil.