ANGELES CITY – A nine-storey hotel under construction along Teodoro St. in Barangay Balibago collapsed early morning today, May 24, with 24 people initially rescued at the site.
The city government’s unified command system was immediately activated to ensure smooth coordination of rescue operations with the Bureau of Fire Protection in charge of rescue and retrieval, the city disaster risk reduction and management office for logistics and support, the Philippine National Police for security and crowd control, and the city information office for official information to the public.
Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II is on-site to monitor the operations.
Citing CDRRMO initial reports, city information officer Jay Pelayo said 24 individuals have been rescued from the collapsed structure and two others from an apartelle affected by the collapse.
He said search plans are being “aggressively executed” for individuals who may have been trapped under the rubble. “Wala naman po silang naiulat pa na may nagpapasaklolo, pero nandoon po yung mga team ngayon sa area.”
Pelayo said rescuers are hindered by hazards including downed live power lines.
“Hindi lang po lahat pwedeng maka-access doon dahil medyo maselan pa ho yung may mga kawad ng kuryente ho yung mga inaayos sa area.”
Even as the rescue operations are ongoing, the city government has initiated an inquiry into the building’s construction history and verifying the site’s permits, Pelayo said, adding that they have yet to hear from the management or ownership of the project. Punto News Team/Angeles CIO
