Malls, department stores re-open in Digos

Seven of the nine shopping malls ordered closed by the Digos City government are now back in business after quick repairs and issuance of the required occupancy clearance. This is Gaisano Grand Market Place after the tremor. (Photo by Eldie S. Aguirre, Inquirer Mindanao)

DIGOS CITY – Shopping malls and department stores ordered closed by the city government here due to damage created by the 6.3-magnitude quake on Oct. 16 are now back in business.

Nikkolo Marco Aurelio Cortes, Digos City information officer, said Gaisano Center, Gaisano Mall grocery and department store, Gaisano Grand Mall Grocery, Unitop, and Digos Central Warehouse Club were cleared by the city government to fully or partially re-open their establishments on Tuesday, after intensive inspection by experts.

Digos Mayor Josef Cagas has ordered the assessment team to prioritize the inspection of those establishments so that the management concerned can quickly act on their findings and make the necessary repair and rehabilitation to ensure the safety and security of their clients.

Cagas told reporters two department stores were still undergoing tedious ocular inspection following the discovery of some major defects that may endanger customers and their employees.

Cagas said the engineering office found out that the cantilever and facade of the building showed signs of wear that could lead to a possible collapse.

“There might be a possibility that the assessment team will recommend for demolition if the severity of the damage will endanger the lives of both the workers and customers,” Cagas explained.

Just recently, the mayor stressed that he wanted all shopping malls and department stores ordered closed to be back in business the soonest possible time since scores of employees and tenants were temporarily displaced due to their closures.

On the other hand, City Engineer Salvador Dumogho said intensive inspection in the severely damaged building of the Cor Jesu College was ongoing.

“There is a possibility that one of the buildings will be declared unfit for occupancy,” Dumogho said.

The walls and other parts of the newly constructed Paulino Hospital building along Rizal Avenue also sustained major damage.

However, the assessment team reported that the integrity of its beams and columns were still intact.

Dumogho said the structural engineer of the Paulino Hospital building would join the assessment team for a final inspection./lzb