ANGELES CITY — The owner and contractor of the building that collapsed in Barangay Balibago here failed to attend a fact-finding committee press conference on Tuesday afternoon, June 24, despite notice from the local government.
Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II and city administrator Atty. Noel Luzung confirmed that both the building owner and the Golden Years Construction and Steel Works Corp. were notified about the press conference intended to update the public on the incident, but neither responded to the invitation.
“They usually only send representatives when we call for meetings of the fact-finding body,” the officials said.
Investigation nearing completion
The city government reported that the investigation is more than 50% complete. Officials are awaiting test results on materials recovered from the collapsed structure to finalize their findings.
Atty. Darwin Reyes, special legal adviser to the fact-finding task force, said they are targeting completion by the end of July. Once finished, the report can be attached to supplemental affidavits filed by families of affected construction workers who have already initiated legal action against the building owner and contractor.
Legal cases filed
To date, five families have filed cases for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, while one businessman has filed for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.
Reyes indicated that following the investigation, the city government may file separate civil or criminal complaints against the building owner and contractor, depending on the findings.
The city is also considering charging the parties for the P9.5 million in expenses incurred during rescue, retrieval, and clearing operations at the collapse site.
No response from representatives
Atty. Willie Rivera, representing building owner Ernest Jackson Lim, and Atty. Nicholai Manguerra, representing Golden Years Construction and Steel Works Corp., did not respond to requests for comment on statements made at the press conference.