The Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) of Davao City has declared four establishments off limits and restricted the use of four others after finding structural damages following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 twin earthquakes on Friday, October 10, 2025.

OCBO has issued red and yellow tag notices to several establishments that sustained damage after conducting rapid visual inspection, together with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Davao City Chapter.

In a public advisory released on Monday, October, 13, OCBO said the inspections revealed varying levels of structural damage among buildings.

Four establishments were issued red tags, which indicate that occupancy of the building is strictly prohibited due to severe structural damage and potential danger to occupants. It also means that a comprehensive structural assessment is required, and entry or use of the premises is prohibited until all necessary repairs have been completed and cleared by the OCBO.

These establishments are: Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Administrative Building; School Building), The Velvet Residences and Hotel/Oroderm City, Magallanes Residences (Toledo-Building 3), and Teleperformance Davao (Part of SM Annex Building)

“Pag-red tag, definitely, ang buot pasabot ana, panghawa mo diha. Dili na siya safe. Red tag doesn’t mean nga kahugnuon na imong building, but it means that that is imminent danger. Karon kung naa mo diha nga mga condo unya ang building admin ninyo, muingon sa inyoha nga ah dili uy, safe ra, ingon si Engr. safe ra, ilaha ratong sulti. As far as we are concerned, as far as the City Government of Davao is concerned, nag-issue mi og red tag buot pasabot dili na siya dapat gina-occupy,” OCBO Officer-in-Charge, Ar. Khashayar Toghyani, said.

RESTRICTED USE

Meanwhile, four other establishments received yellow tags, signifying restricted use. These structures sustained moderate structural or non-structural damage that requires repair before full re-occupancy. Areas deemed safe may remain accessible under controlled conditions, subject to OCBO approval.

These establishments are: Felcris Centrale (Buildings A, B, and C), Gaisano Mall of Davao-Bajada (Parking Building), Vivaldi Residences of Davao, and Mesatierra Garden Residences.

OCBO directed all affected establishments to strictly comply with the safety requirements and conditions set by the office before allowing re-occupancy.

“Kinahanglan i-submit nila ang ilahang report and ilang repair methodology and they should apply for repair permit. And then, once they are given clearance nga sakto ang inyong nakita nga findings, the same sa among nakita, and we accept your repair methodology, then that’s the time that they should proceed and fix the structure. And then finally obtain a green tag which means nga na-lift na tong ban sa ilang occupancy,” Toghyani added.

Non-compliant establishments may face legal actions.

STATEMENT

Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao in a statement released on October 12 said that a private engineering consultancy firm completed a thorough inspection of its campus buildings.

The assessment found that the structures’ overall integrity remains intact, although some non-structural damages were observed but were limited to aesthetic and architectural components that need interior repairs.

The school said it will submit its structural integrity certification to the city government and is currently conducting asynchronous classes.

Vivaldi Residences Davao also issued a statement, saying it received a certification from an engineering consultancy firm, which confirmed that the structural integrity of its buildings remains intact.

The establishment also acknowledged the yellow tag issued by OCBO.

It added that it is coordinating closely with OCBO for additional resilience measures to ensure safety further.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the other establishments issued with notices for a statement, as of this writing.

INSPECTIONS

“While that can be true, I would still argue. Di ba very recently in some place in Quezon City or Metro Manila naay mga bata nga nitabok lang, natagakan og plastering sa ulo, diba patay to. Even in Davao City, an 80-year old man, diba nahulugan pud, patay to. So, it’s not just the integrity of your structure, it is safety as well,” Toghyani said.

OCBO reminded management of establishments that it has the authority to conduct inspections, following an incident where a BPO company reportedly refused entry to city inspectors.

“I would like to remind you guys, ayaw ninyo pugnga ang public officials ug ang regulatory offices sa pagbuhat sa among trabaho kay og in that course, naay simbako lang mahitabo nga disgrasya, ako gyud ng isingil sa inyoha. Ayaw na ninyo buhata, kay ang kinabuhi baya sa tao di baya ninyo kaya bayaran,” Toghyani added.

The city government reiterated that while it remains committed to maintain a business-friendly environment, the safety of Davaoeños remains the top priority.

The city government said inspections of other establishments with reported visible cracks are ongoing.