SM Strata temporarily closed

THE Iloilo City Engineers Office has temporarily closed to public the SM Strata building in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao district, Iloilo.

City Engineer Bobby Divinagracia said the closure will remain until the construction on the peripheral area of the building will be completed. Glass panels have been installed in the area.

Divinagracia said the move was made to keep the people passing by the area safe.

On March 31, police reported that a 16-year-old barker, Sam Johncel Villagas, was rushed to the Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital after he was hit by an equipment that fell from the constructed building. The incident happened around 4:15 p.m.

The closure primarily covers only the loading and unloading lane for Leganes public utility jeepneys.

Divinagracia said that based on the National Building Code, they can issue a partial occupancy once the contractor have accomplished about 95 percent of the construction, which means that electrical requirements are met and no interior renovation is ongoing inside the building.

Divinagracia said they issued a partial occupancy permit for the parking area and the ground floor.

Divinagracia conducted the inspection following Mayor Jose Espinosa III’s order.

“The construction was ceased for the review of the officials,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa also warned all contractors to conform and implement safety procedure to avoid accidents.