3 engineers face charges, suspended over collapse of Sinubong covered court

THREE GOVERNMENT engineers were suspended and are facing administrative charges for gross neglect of duty in connection to the collapse of a covered court at the Sinubong National High School that injured 9 students.

Mayor Beng Climaco said the trio Romeo Hiso, Santiago Solis, Jr. and Sherwin Alan Rabago – all from the City Engineer’s Office were formally charged following a preliminary investigation. The engineers were also told to answer the charges against otherwise they be considered to have waived their right.

Mayor Beng Climaco inspects the collapsed covered court at the Sinubong National High School. She ordered the suspension of 3 engineers over the accident and are all facing administrative charges. (Kathy Wee Sit)

The City Government has a grievance committee, a collegial body organized to specifically handle administrative charges against local government officials and employees.

Climaco said Hiso, chief of the Construction and Maintenance Division, has allegedly failed to supervise Solis, the project engineer, and review and check plans and specifications and conduct periodic inspection” of the covered court project at school.

She said Hiso certified in the Statement of Work Accomplishment that the project was implemented in accordance with plans and specifications despite huge variance of the actual building and the plans.

On the other hand, Solis reportedly failed to supervise the work of the contractor to ensure that the steel trusses are properly welded, failed to conduct satisfactory field inspection.He also failed to review whether the actual structure complies with the plans, and failed to ensure quality and structurally safe project, including his failure to properly rectify the structure after at least 3 complaints by the school principal, according to Climaco.

She added that despite all those failures, Solis certified in the Statement of Work Accomplishment that the project was “implemented in accordance with plans and specifications” despite huge variance of the actual building and the plans and issuance of Inspection Report stating that the project is completed and found to be in order.

Climaco said Rabago, chief of the Material Testing and Quality Control Division, has failed to review whether the actual structure complies with the plans, and failed to properly rectify the structure after complaint by the principal.”

In addition, Rabago certified in the Statement of Work Accomplishment that all materials used for the said project passed all requirements of the Materials Testing and Quality Control and in conformity to the standard specification and special provision of the contract.

Climaco emphasized that the failure of the 3 engineers to act according to their mandated duties resulted to the collapse of the covered court and injured 9 students, placing their lives in grave danger because of their gross neglect, to the damage and prejudice of the local government and the students. (Zamboanga Post. With additional report from City Hall.)

Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Read And Share Our News: Mindanao Examiner Website
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates