Engineers find lapses in Pampanga building collapse

Even as rescue operations continue for 17 missing persons on Monday, a probe by volunteer engineers into the structural plans of the collapsed nine-storey building in Angeles City, Pampanga, has begun.

According to a report of Chino Gaston on “24 Oras”, the examination of civil engineers aims to determine whether the construction followed the structural plans that were submitted to the Angeles City Hall, including the durability of materials.

“Ayaw pa namin mag-ano ng findings [kasi] medyo hilaw pa.. may nakita kaming pagkakaiba sa construction practice nire-request kasi naman na maalis ang rubble para ma-compare yung dimensions sa plans,” Structural Civil Engineer Jordan Tañedo said.

(We don't want to release any findings just yet because they're still a bit premature. We noticed some differences in the construction practices, and we are requesting the removal of the rubble so we can compare the dimensions with the plans.)

While the engineers cannot yet say if the infrastructure was defective, they have identified a few violations in the construction.

“Mga standard rebars lang,sir, na dapat meron. For example, sa mga joints na dapat meron, ‘yung mga confinement dapat merong rebars ‘yun. ’Yan ‘yung mga wala,” Tañedo said.

(Just the standard rebars, sir, that are supposed to be there. For example, the joints and the confinement areas are supposed to have rebars. Those are what's missing.)

The report said the construction of the nine-storey hotel began in 2024. Its plan included two roof decks.

The building is owned and contracted by a company called Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corporation.

GMA News has reached out to the company for comment.

In 2025, according to the Department of Labor and Employment Region III director, the construction of the project was suspended due to occupational safety violations.

“May natanggap sila na reklamo na hindi compliant ang may-ari ng gusali sa SSS, Philhealth at Pag-IBIG,” DOLE Region III Director Geraldine Panlilio said.

“At nang bisitahin ang naturang gusali ay lumabas na by plain view, ay marami na ditong nakitang violations na at risk ang mga empleyado for constructions. Gaya ng kawalan ng personnel safety equipment, safety gears, illumination, sounds, safety belts, scaffoldings,” she added.

(They received a complaint stating that the building owner is not compliant with the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. "And when the building was inspected, it was apparent by plain view that there were already numerous violations putting the construction workers at risk. These included a lack of personal safety equipment, safety gear, illumination, sound barriers, safety belts, and proper scaffolding.)

Panlilio said the site had no safety officer and inspectors were not given access to the project site.

After a month, the suspension was lifted after the construction company allegedly complied with government requirements.

Around 7 a.m. on Monday, the remains of the fourth fatality were recovered via Philippine Coast Guard K-9 units and Bureau of Fire Protection thermal scanners.

Seventeen persons are still missing based on records of the construction company.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the site to check on the 27 rescued workers and the families of the victims and missing individuals.

“Ngayon, kung may injuries at may medical needs, or later on wag naman sana may need for burial assistance the department will be around to help efforts of the local government,” Gatchalian said.

(Right now, if there are injuries and medical needs, or later on a need for burial assistance, the department will provide help with the efforts of the local government.)

The DSWD is looking into the possibility of helping the workers who lost their jobs as a result of the incident. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News