Work on 55-story Cebu condo stopped

CEBU CITY—The Cebu City government has ordered a real estate developer to suspend work on its  55-story condominium project on General Maxilom Avenue in this city following the collapse of its protection wall on Tuesday.

The city government also directed officials of Barangay Cogon Ramos to evacuate eight families who live near the collapsed structure.

The Office of the Building Official (OBO) on Tuesday issued the cease and desist order against Taft Property Ventures Development Corp. after the slope protection wall of its condominium project collapsed.

Engineer Josefa Ylanan, OBO acting chief, directed Taft Property to focus on restoring the collapsed wall and ensuring the safety of the area.

“Before proceeding with the work, you are hereby required to secure the vicinity,” said Ylanan in her cease and desist order.

Vincent Tomaneng, lawyer and representative of Taft Property, confirmed that the firm received the cease and desist order from the city government. “We will respect it,” he said.

No one was hurt when the structure caved in but it sent families running out of their homes when the ground shook during the collapse. With a report from Doris C. Bongcac, Inquirer Visayas