THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Northern Mindanao has blamed the successive earthquakes felt in the city for the collapse of an unfinished covered court in Punta, Barangay Bonbon on Tuesday, November 5, leaving three workers injured.
Three construction workers, identified as Wilson Berja, 27, Arjel Gallana, 22, and Ronnie Minoza, 26, were injured due to the sudden collapse. They are now in stable condition.
In a statement, DPWH district engineer Yolanda Egam said the successive earthquakes have affected the stability of the building, pointing out that the tack welded structure raptured causing the structure to weaken.
The tack weld operation, which is part of the construction method of the contractor, ensures the dimensional stability or further realignment before the full welding activities take place.
Egam said another reason for the collapse was the load of the galvanized iron sheets piled at the top center of the trusses or the framework of the building. The additional weight of the workers contributed to the heavy load causing the building to collapse.
“Unfortunately, the building did not withstand the weight since it’s not yet in the final weld operation,” she said.
Meanwhile, the contractor, AT Builders and General Merchandise will reconstruct and will spend the reconstruction of the building. It will also provide medical assistance to the injured workers.
The P5.6-million structure is a project of 1st District Representative Rolando “Klarex” Uy under the DPWH.
A statement from the office of Rep. Uy noted that this is the first time that one of his multipurpose building projects has collapsed.
“We appeal to the kind public of their understanding because no one wanted this incident to happen. We further ask their kindness to refrain from speculating pending further results of any investigation to be conducted by DPWH. Congressman Uy assures the public that like his other priority projects of his district, the same will be finished as quality as the others,” the statement said.