5 dead after bunkhouse collapses in Cebu City

By CNN Philippines Staff, Mar 6, 2018

Around 154 people were sleeping inside the steel bunk house along Archbishop Avenue, Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City when it collapsed.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — Five people died after a bunkhouse of a construction firm collapsed in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City early Tuesday morning.

The casualties were confirmed by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO). Meanwhile, four people were seriously injured, seven had slight injuries, while 44 others had minor bruises and scratches.

The victims were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

The CDRRMO identified the fatalities as:

Iveen Villarin – 23 years old
Francisco Diapera – 45 years old
Carlos Caliwa – 60 years old
Crisenciano Silomen – 57 years old
Jason Bacalso – 22 years old

About 154 people were sleeping inside the steel bunkhouse of Abraham Lee Construction on Archbishop Avenue when it collapsed, according to CDRRMO Council Chief Nagiel Bañacia.

“Sabi ng mga kapitbahay dito, it’s almost two years na, ito ang central temporary facility ng construction firm that is constructing five high-rise buildings in Cebu City,” Bañacia told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: Neighbors say it’s been two years since the place has been a temporary facility of the construction firm, which is building five high-rise buildings in Cebu City.]

Bañacia added the Department of Labor and Employment regional office, and the Office of the Building Official, are looking into Abraham Lee Construction’s liability in the incident.

The company’s project engineer Butch Abaya said the bunker house could accommodate up to 200 workers, and they wondered why it had collapsed with only about a hundred workers occupying it.

He said they are also investigating cause of the incident.

Abaya added the company will shoulder the expenses of all the victims and the affected workers.

He added Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña promised to help the victims of the collapse.

Abraham Lee Construction released a statement Tuesday evening saying they were very saddened by the unfortunate incident and are prioritizing attending to those injured.

“We have provided assistance to their families and the other workers not hurt; as well as special care and arrangements for the fatalities and their families,” the statement said.

They added they were taking full responsibility for the incident, and are calling for a review of their safety policy and practices.