ZAMBOANGA CITY – Local Mayor Beng Climaco has threatened to file charges against the contractor of a covered court at a government school here following its collapse Monday that injured 8 students.
The students, ages 14 to 15, suffered from bruises and were rushed to hospital, according to Leida Penaflorida, a teacher at the Sinubong National High School.
“It was raining hard and then we heard something on the roof, then suddenly the whole roof collapsed,” she said, adding, the students, mostly Grade 9, were at the covered court because rains were sipping in their classrooms.
“We are just thankful that nobody died from the accident, but some suffered bruises. At least six students were rushed to the hospital for treatment,” Penaflorida said.
Village chieftain Eric Casipe blamed the project contractor for the collapse of the covered court. “I already forewarned the contractor that the covered court looks unsafe and now this happened,” he said.
The roof collapsed from its seam in the middle of the covered court after its steel beams gave way to the weight of the rainwater.
Mayor Beng Climaco has ordered an investigation into the accident and said the local government will file the necessary charges against erring contractors, including city government personnel accountable for incidents like this, resulting from inferior quality projects.
Climaco said the covered court project was undertaken by Lamitan VJ’s Construction and Supplies. She has directed City Legal Officer Atty. Carbon to ensure enforcement of liability of contractors under applicable laws and contractual obligations with the local government, specifically on damages incurred to life and property.
“This is unacceptable and should not happen again,” Climaco said. “The project contractor will shoulder all costs, redo the project and will be accountable for the lapses, pending thorough investigation.”
The mayor also visited the injured students in the hospital and spoke to them one by one and told City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite to provide the children with the best medical attention.
City Engineer Chris Navarro said the covered court project is a result of “poor workmanship” with the contractor not abiding with plans and specifications. There was no immediate statement from the contractor on the collapse of the covered court.
Just last month, Climaco has ordered the City Engineer Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the City Administrator Office to coordinate with the Department of Education to thoroughly inspect the quality of all infrastructure projects and ensure intensified enforcement of the building code. (The Zamboanga Post)
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