- City building official flags three structures after series of quakes
TWO CONDOMINIUMS and a shopping mall received a “yellow tag” from the Office of the City Building Official, effectively classifying them as “in restrictive use” following a series of quakes starting Dec. 2.
In a radio interview, Khashayar Toghyani, OCBO officer-in-charge, identified the three structures as Verdon Parc Condominium in Ecoland, Linmarr Towers Condominium in Obrero, and Felcris Centrale along Quimpo Boulevard.
“Naay mga area gyud nga naay mga damage, and gina-restrict nato ang tao nga musulod, and we ordered its repair,” Toghyani said.
Toghyani also said the three buildings are under strict monitoring and the OCBO kept records of their respective constructions and structural histories. However, based on their continued audits, no building in Davao City has entered the “red tag” territory.
“Even ma-red tag ang isa ka building, if they can present a solution na ma-retrofit nila or ma-repair nila, and then ma-check nato, pwede ra man gihapon gamiton ang building,” he said.
Structural engineers and third-party consultants assisting the OCBO during its assessments explained that some earthquakes are shallow (10-24-kilometer depth from the ground) and could lead to minimal aftershocks. In comparison, earthquakes up to 100 kilometers in depth will cause more aftershocks lasting up to two weeks or until the ground settles.
Toghyani also reminded developers to strictly follow OCBO guidelines as some of them released statements that may confuse residents in return.
“I would like to remind developers, kay ang ilahang argument, safe man ang structural members, walay nakitang mga crack and major damages. Gusto nako sila i-remind nga OCBO is not limited only to structural defects, we also check fire safety and exits for evacuations, and any loose elements in the building,” he said.
Developers must contact their engineers and construction teams to conduct thorough assessments of their buildings, he added.
Meanwhile, he urged building occupants to evacuate immediately if they notice any minor to major damages in the structure.
