OBO finds 82 more unsafe buildings

ILOILO CITY , Philippines   — The Office of the Building Official has found 82 more dangerous buildings and structures here in the city that brings to a total of 154 buildings that were given notices regarding their stability to withstand the effect of a big magnitude earthquake.

The latest batch of structures was inspected from March 31 to April 4, after the OBO's intensified review and inspection on safety and structural stability of buildings in the city.

OBO officer-in-charge Noen Gregorio said almost all of these buildings are located along Valeria, Iznart and Ledesma Streets in the City Proper district. Most of them are more than 15 years old, while others are more than 50 years old and are now regarded as the city's "heritage buildings."

Owners of the building were directed to hire a private structural engineer to conduct a series of testing if the structures are still compliant with the minimum requirements of the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP).

Gregorio earlier reported an initial batch of 72 buildings evaluated from March 21 to 28 based on a list given to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

The mayor then directed the OBO to inspect buildings to guarantee the safety of tenants/occupants and the public, and lessen the subsequent damage to life and property. (FREEMAN)