(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte has directed officials to look into the cause of the collapse of a four-storey building in Porac, Pampanga as he noted that structures beside it still stood strong after the quake.
The President, who arrived on Tuesday in Pampanga to conduct an inspection of quake-affection areas in Porac, noted that there could be a structural defect in the construction of the Chuzon Supermarket building, and said that all its branches should cease their operations while the investigation is ongoing.
“But ‘yung bumagsak na supermart what could have been…? You were all hit 6.1. What could have been the proximate cause at least temporarily bakit bumagsak ‘yung supermart? Is there anybody who can answer the question?,” President Duterte said during the situation briefing which he presided over in San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday, April 23.
-Chuzon supermarket building design good for only two floors-
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said that the Chuzon Supermarket building was originally designed to just have two floors.
“I asked around and this could be because of the structural design of the supermarket. It is only good for a second floor but it was actually constructed up to fourth floor,” he said during the briefing.
-Suspension of business permit-
“In fact, I would be issuing a memorandum circular to LGUs that have Chuzon Supermarket in their jurisdiction to temporarily suspend the business permit until we have pre-assessed the structural integrity of these supermarkets. Before… You know we do not know when the next earthquake will happen so we want to prevent unnecessary loss of life,” he added.
Chuzon’s owner was also summoned by the Criminal and Investigation and Detection Group Tuesday afternoon, Secretary Año told the President.
“So it would be good at this time to just give them the advice to stop — cease and desist doing business until such time that the clearance given by government whether the city or city engineer or whoever is competent to review the planning and inquire into what kind of materials whether they were made or applied in right sizes or was there any shortcuts made,” Duterte said.
The President also said the DILG, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the police could “help in the determination of the structural integrity” of the Chuzon supermarket building.
The building reportedly housed some offices, and dormitories for its employees.
The President wants authorities to investigate the incident because, according to him, business owners often ignore safety standards or don’t comply with the requirements of the law to save money, which compromises public safety.
