Laguna gov orders demolition of P 68-M university building over defects
Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones has ordered the demolition of a P68-million building at a provincial government-run university in Santa Cruz town after serious structural defects were discovered, posing risks to the safety of more than 7,000 students.
Aragones issued the order following a surprise inspection at Laguna University on Thursday, where she found the building riddled with cracks and its columns separating.
“It was supposed to accommodate 7,000 students, but now only 3,500 attend face-to-face classes in other buildings, while the remaining 3,500 are forced to study online because of this problem,” she said in a statement.
Gov’t funding
The governor, according to the provincial government, is demanding accountability from the contractor behind the substandard construction. The company has yet to be identified as local officials started reviewing all documents related to the project.
“I want to know who the contractor is. I am not happy about this because the students’ safety is in danger—this is about lives,” Aragones, who was elected to her first term as governor in May, said during her visit.
The university, built in 2011 and owned and funded by the provincial government, has stopped using the defective building since April after large cracks appeared.
Provincial administrator Jerry Pelayo, in the same statement, reported an instance when the building swayed even without an earthquake. Photos posted on Facebook showed cracks on walls, posts and floors.
Pelayo said representatives of the contractor had been notified but reportedly denied any responsibility, replying: “Hindi po namin alam ang project na ‘yan; ginamit lang ang aming lisensya (We’re unaware of that project; our license was just used).”
The provincial government added that no complete records or documents of the building’s construction could be found in their records.
“Imagine the worst-case scenario—there could be casualties. Those responsible must be held accountable,” Aragones said.
She vowed that accountability would not stop with demolition, promising legal action and a full investigation to hold both the contractor and any complicit officials liable.
Aragones, addressing the contractor, said: “I want to talk to you, and you must answer for this and explain why this happened.”
“To those hiding documents, bring them out because we will not stop until we know who is responsible,” she warned.
