Waiting shed collapses; four scavengers saved

Four scavengers were rescued just before a 10-meter long waiting shed collapsed in downtown Cebu City.

The four scavengers were seen sleeping atop the roof of the waiting shed in Osmeña Boulevard near the Department of Health building.

Joy Tumulak, asst. executive director of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM), said traffic enforcers noticed the unstable condition of the waiting shed at past 6 a.m.  yesterday during the Timex Run.

“The waiting shed was already tilting so the scavengeres who slept on the roof were asked to go down,” Tumulak said in Cebuano.

The waiting shed had a GI sheet roof but it had a round steel, which served as bench for passengers waiting for a ride.

Tumulak said scavengers usually climb  a tree beside the structure then jumped to the roof where they sleep during night time.

After the four scavengers were assisted in going down, the waiting shed gradually collapsed.

It turned out that the bolts, which were attached to the cemented foundation, had already been eaten by rust.

Mayor Michael Rama inspected the site, Tumulak said.

Tumulak said the mayor wanted the appropriate department of City Hall to make recommendation if the waiting shed will be replaced.

The waiting shed was dismantled and transported by a trailer truck to the SRP./CORRESPONDENT JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN