Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the city government to conduct an extensive investigation into the wall collapse at a construction site in Quezon City Hall compound that left one person dead and three others injured on Thursday evening, Aug. 17.
“Inatasan na natin si City Engineer Atty. Dale Perral na pangunahan ang imbestigasyon sa insidente at tingnan kung may dapat managot sa insidente (We have appointed City Engineer Atty. Dale Perral to lead the investigation into the incident and see if anyone should be held accountable for the incident),” Belmonte said.
According to the city government, the incident happened around 10 p.m. on Thursday at the Civic Center B Building where a part of the building’s wall fell while a demolition was ongoing. The demolition was being conducted to install a scenic elevator in front of the building.
The wall was supposed to be demolished in a week’s time and should be removed part by part before its big section made of hollow blocks crumbled, it said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the deceased victim as Russel Grezo, 22. He was allegedly trapped under the collapsed wall.
His body was retrieved at around 11:51 p.m.
The three injured workers, all under MRB II Construction Corporation, were rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center for treatment.
”Isa sa mga unang aalamin ang sistemang pinaiiral ng kontratista sa construction site, at kung binigyang halaga ba ang aspeto ng occupational safety para sa kanilang manggagawa (One of the first things to find out is the system implemented by the contractor at the construction site, and whether the aspect of occupational safety for their workers has been given importance),” she added.
City Engineer lawyer Dale Perral said that demolition of the wall is part of the architectural wall and will not affect the structural integrity of the whole building.
“Rest assured that the Civic Center B is still structurally sound and safe for use. Just the same, we will ensure that the construction site, especially the ground floor, will be cordoned off and safe for passersby and city hall employees,” he said.
He added that the investigation will focus on the contractor’s compliance to occupational, safety and health standards.
The construction will proceed as scheduled while additional safety measures are put in place, the local government said.
Belmonte ordered concerned city offices to extend financial assistance to the family of the deceased construction worker and medical assistance to the injured.