Firm to meet with DPWH, Baguio City officials

THE Suntrust Properties Inc. is set to hold a dialogue with the Baguio City Council and other concerned agencies to address the pressing concern of residents in Gibraltar, Mines View.

The meeting is set on June 16 with Mayor Mauricio Domogan as the convener, hoping to settle the continued collapse of a retaining wall along Gibraltar, which is believed to endanger not only the lives and properties of the adjoining community.

The collapse was attributed to the installed faulty pipes and cross drains connected to the city's sewer line which is a clear violation of the city’s building standards.

Suntrust 88 Gibraltar in a letter dated June 7, reiterated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately restore the sewer lines, which were damaged brought about by the erosion of a retaining wall in the area.

Suntrust Properties Inc. president and lawyer Harry Paltongan reiterated the collapse was due to defective engineering of a drainage system, which was earlier contracted by the agency, washing out one lane of the road.

This was affirmed by the City Environment and Parks Management Office in their inspection report dated December 27, 2016.

The report determined the sewer pipes along the pavement were damaged by the contractor of the drainage project being implemented by the Baguio City District Engendering Office of the DPWH.

"After the drainage was eroded, Suntrust helped in rebuilding it including the walls but it was later blamed to the company," added Paltongan.

The lapses and violations in the implementation of the DPWH project rehabilitating the drainage systems within the area is being pinned to GA Flores, which contributed to the erosion of riprap walls but city officials earlier are also looking at the possible lapses of the developer on their compliance with the permit issued to the realty firm.

City Buildings and Architecture Office and the City Engineering Office were earlier tasked to monitor the area and the mitigating measures undertaken by Suntrust. (Roderick Osis)