Metro Cebu malls, stores closed for safety checks

ALMOST all business establishments in Metro Cebu were closed following yesterday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

“So far, no major damage were reported to us by our members but we expect the cost to go higher in the next few days. That includes damage on properties and loss in business because of the shutdown,” said Philip Tan, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president.

Tan said they are coordinating with fellow businessmen for reports and assistance.

He said he received word about old buildings damaged by the quake in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

“I was in City Sports parking my car when it happened and I really saw the tall buildings here swaying…those old buildings that were not built (to withstand) that magnitude will really be damaged,” Tan said.

He said it was fortunate that the quake happened on a holiday.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lito Maderazo and Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said SM City Cebu and SM Consolacion, Ayala Center Cebu, Gaisano malls, J Center Mall and Insular Square mall all closed yesterday.

Inspection

SM senior public relations manager RJ Leduna said the management decided to close their two malls in Cebu for inspection by their engineers to make sure they are safe.

Ayala Center Cebu was closed the whole day yesterday, said Cebu Holdings Inc. corporate communications manager Jeanette Japzon.

“After preliminary inspection, there was no major damage in Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park from the earthquake. However, for the safety of our patrons and personnel, Ayala Center Cebu will not be opening today to allow our property management to check the building further,” Japzon said.

Insular Square Mall in Basak, Mandaue City sustained broken glass walls.

The mall will remain closed until further notice, said press relations consultant Epjie Acuzarhe.

Cenelyn Manguilimotan, Cebu Parklane International Hotel general manager and vice president of the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) said they only had some few popped up tiles.

She said they resumed normal operations after a thorough inspection of their building was done.

HRRAC president Hans Hauri also said they made cross checking with other hotels in Cebu and found out that most hotels already returned to normal operations as of 2 p.m. Yesterday. /Aileen Garcia-Yap, Reporter