It’s not just flood-control projects: every building, every structure constructed by the government, whether national or local, should be put under intense scrutiny.
Along with the ongoing revelations about the billions in pesos allegedly wasted on substandard or non-existent flood-control projects, concerned sectors are now raising doubts over the structural integrity of other major infrastructure projects in Laguna province.
The first to fall under the crosshairs of public doubt: a four-storey schoolbuilding inside the Laguna University (LU) in Santa Cruz that the provincial government called to attention due to its deteriorating state.
The issue first came to light on August 28 when Governor Sol Aragones, in a live Facebook video, showed what appeared to be large cracks on the building’s walls and columns.
Provincial Administrator Jerry Pelayo, who was also present during the live video, noted that cracks are clearly visible and the building even has swing movement even though there are no earthquakes.
The governor said the closure of the building has affected over 7,000 students studying at LU, half of which are now undergoing online classes after the building was ordered vacated on April 25.
Not during Hernandez’s term?
While Aragones did not name any specific politician or public figure in her video, the finger of blame immediately fell upon her predecessor, former governor and now 2nd District Representative Ramil Hernandez, under whose term the building was completed.
Not so fast, others pointed out, as a Facebook page called “Bulungan sa Laguna” questioned allegations that the building, which had been in use since 2017, was kickstarted during the Hernandez administration.
The Facebook page released what appeared to be an infrastructure contract dated December 2012 between the provincial government of Laguna and the New Kanlaon Construction, Inc. and Jose Cris Builders for the construction of the four-storey, 32-classroom building. Total contract price: over P68 million.
Recent news reports have it that officials of New Kanlaon Construction have denied their involvement in the building and allegedly told Provincial Administrator Pelayo that their company’s name was used without authorization by the actual builders.
According to the supposed contract, construction of the building started on December 19, 2012 and was targeted for completion by December 13, 2013. However, it was not until 2017 that the building was declared “complete.”
To recall, Hernandez took over as Laguna governor on May 17, 2014 after his predecessor, former Governor and now Pagsanjan Mayor ER Ejercito, was disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over alleged overspending on television campaign ads.
Already vacated
In a separate post, Hernandez, while not detailing specifics as to the building’s history, said that issues on its structural integrity had already been addressed before he stepped down from his post as Laguna governor.
“Dahil na rin ito sa rekomendasyon ng provincial engineering office at ng independent structural engineers ng SBStruc company dahil sa crack sa ilang bahagi ng LU building dulot ng mga nakaraang lindol,” the former governor said in his Facebook post dated August 30.
Affected students were temporarily relocated at the Athletes’ Village inside the Laguna Sports Complex to ensure that face-to-face classes will continue amid the building’s closure.
Hernandez added that he has not yet issued a final approval for retrofitting or rehabilitating the structure before he stepped down, pending final assessment by experts as well as an investigation on who should be held accountable for its deterioration.
“Dahil inabot na ito ng election at pagpapalit ng administrasyon ay hindi na naisagawa ang mga prosesong dapat gawin,” he said.
Hernandez has also joined calls for an independent investigation on the issue.
“Sa ngayon, kasama nyo po ako sa pagbabantay sa resulta ng imbestigasyon na gagawin ng Provincial Government of Laguna. Dapat ding matiyak na mabibigyan ng sapat na suporta ang lahat ng hakbang para maayos at maibalik sa ligtas na kalagayan ang Laguna University,” he said.
As of press time (December 5), the provincial government has ordered the complete demolition of the structure, while Aragones said the LGU is now fast-tracking the completion of temporary classrooms for affected students.
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