School building projects ordered inspected

ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar warned charges will be filed against erring contractors including city government personnel accountable for incidents resulting from inferior quality projects.

Salazar’s statement came after the collapse Monday, June 24, of the covered court at the national high school in the village of Sinubong, 26 kilometers west of this city that injured nine Grade 9 students.

The students have utilized the covered court as temporary classroom when its roof collapsed around 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Salazar directed lawyer Jesus Carbon, city legal officer, to ensure enforcement of liability of contractors under applicable laws and contractual obligations with the city government specifically on damages incurred to life and property.

Engineer Christopher Navarro said the collapse of the covered court project is a result of “poor workmanship’ with the contractor not abiding with plans and specifications.

Salazar, after Monday’s incident, has immediately instructed the City Engineer’s Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office together with the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and inspection on all infrastructure projects undertaken in schools. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)