Fact-finding task force created for Angeles building collapse

ANGELES CITY — A fact-finding and investigation task force has been created following the collapse of an under-construction nine-story building in Barangay Balibago that has claimed six lives and injured many others.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II on Saturday announced that he had issued an executive order creating a fact-finding committee to ensure a proper and objective investigation into the collapse, including the gathering of accurate technical and factual information related to the tragedy.

In the Executive Order signed on Friday, Lazatin formally ordered the creation of the Angeles City Fact-Finding and Investigation Task Force to determine the cause of the collapse and identify possible liabilities arising from the incident.

The task force is composed of representatives from the city government, law enforcement agencies, national government offices, and professional organizations, including engineers, structural engineers, and architects.

They are required to submit an initial report within 15 days with a final comprehensive report due within 60 days unless an extension is granted by the city mayor.

The findings are expected to be made available to the public.

“I assure the public that the truth will come out. Those who should be held accountable will be held accountable, and anyone involved in the entire tragedy will be made accountable,” said Lazatin.

“Our investigation will be fair, and I am certain that the truth will come out so that we can give justice to the victims, the injured, the indirect victims, and, of course, I can say this because the entire Angeles City has made sacrifices—the people of Angeles.” /gsg