A major incident occurred in Pampanga when a building collapsed on Sunday in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) confirmed that four people, including a Malaysian tourist, were killed.
Rescue Operations and Missing Persons
Search and rescue teams saved 26 individuals, while 17 remain missing. The number of missing persons may be higher because the list of workers is missing.
Building Details
The building was designed to be nine stories high and, according to investigations, construction was halted in 2024 and it was still under construction. The BFP reported that most victims were sleeping when the incident occurred.
First district Congressman Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin immediately went to the disaster site. Various government agencies collaborated in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Brigadier General Jess Mendez, director of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), also rushed to the scene to assess the situation.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the collapse. Questions are being raised about which agencies neglected building inspections, whether proper inspections would have halted construction due to design flaws, and who should be held accountable. Cases should be filed against negligent inspection authorities, and the construction firm owner bears significant responsibility.
Meanwhile, many consumers of the Water District of CSF continue to complain about poor service. According to residents interviewed, water flow is weak in the morning, forcing them to store water for bathing. Flow only strengthens around 8 PM, allowing laundry late at night. They also complain about dirty water. Under previous management (Prime Water), similar issues existed, but under CSF government management, service has worsened and rates have increased. Mayor Vilma Caluag is urged to investigate the declining service of the CSF Water District.
