Cebu gov’t orders suspension of condo construction in wake of wall collapse

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City government has ordered a real estate developer to suspend work on its 55-story condominium project along Gen. Maxilom Avenue here following the collapse of its protection wall on Tuesday afternoon.

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

The Office of the Building Official on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order on Taft Property Ventures Development Corp. after the slope protection wall of its condominium project gave way.

Engineer Josefa Ylanan, OBO acting chief, directed Taft Property “to suspend all work activities in the construction area” and to “focus on soil protection/restoration on the collapsed area.”

“Before proceeding with the works, you are hereby required to secure the vicinity,” said Ylanan in the order.

Vincent Tomaneng, lawyer and representative of Taft Property, confirmed they received the cease-and-desist order from the city government.

“We will respect it,” Tomaneng said.

He also assured that the company would take care of the families and would “shoulder all necessary expenses.”

No one was hurt when the structure gave way but it sent families running out of their homes because the ground shook during the collapse.

Cebu City administrator Jose Poblete said the structure, made of concrete and steel matting, was useless because the soil in the area was soft and unstable.

Jonna Pacheco, another resident, said that when the excavation started 10 weeks ago, the land was already starting to move but they thought it was just normal.

“We didn’t give much attention to it [soil movement]. We thought it was safe,” Pacheco said.

Taft Property, a Cebu-based real estate developer, is constructing on the property Horizon 101’s Tower 1, a 55-story condominium, which is projected to be the tallest building in Cebu.

The developer is a subsidiary of Vicsal Development Corporation, which also owns the Metro Gaisano chain of stores, among others.

Taft Property several real estate projects in Cebu including several housing subdivisions such as Palmas Verdes and 3.5-hectare Palm Heights Subdivision, both located in Mandaue City, 5-hectare Nichols Park in Barangay Guadalupe and Hacienda Salinas, both in Cebu City. (With a report from Doris C. Bongcac, Inquirer Visayas)