Pampanga gov’t may be liable if Chuzon store proven to be substandard

PAMPANGA, Philippines — The municipal government of Porac, Pampanga may be held liable for the alleged weak structure of the Chuzon supermarket which led to the death of at least five individuals.

Police Chief Director Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday in an interview here in Porac, Pampanga that if the local council are proven to give a permit to Samuel Chu despite knowing the irregularities, they too would be liable.

“Well kung talagang nagbigay sila ng permit, building permit, despite na alam naman nila na medyo substandard ‘yung building, pwede, they can be liable also,” he said.

Chu, a “well-known businessman,” owns the Chuzon supermarket in Porac, Pampanga which collapsed due to the strong quake that hit Luzon Monday afternoon.

According to Albayalde, Chu voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and is now under the custody of Porac municipal police for investigation purposes.

“He is under investigation para makita ‘yung negligence, kung merong negligence,” said Albayalde.

“Kaya andito yung personnel from DPWH to check on the worthiness, ‘yung structural integrity nung building at kung meron ba silang violation during the construction of the building,” he added.

Albayalde also noted that apart from the Chuzon branch in Porac, its branch in Apalit was also reported to have cracks.

Chu, if proven to have falsifying building requirements in building the Chuzon supermarket, would be held accountable.

“Kung talagang mapatunayan na talagang nagkulang sila o talagang dinaya ‘yung structural design diyan, ‘yung strength of materials, meron siyang liability,” he said.

Retrieval operations are still underway as at least one individual was still believed to be trapped inside the damaged facility. /je/muf

LOOK: Retrieval operations continue at Chuzon supermarket