A four-storey building at Babag 1 Elementary School has been restricted from use after pupils and teachers reported vibrations on the second floor, prompting the Cebu City Government to seek a more thorough structural assessment.
The City Engineering Office and Office of the Building Official (OBO) conducted an ocular inspection on Aug. 12 following the reported incident.
The initial inspection found no apparent structural failure in the building’s main structural members, including columns and beams. However, inspectors found concrete spalling and peeling along portions of the second-floor hallway slab, which they attributed to corrosion of reinforcing steel bars.
The report also noted noticeable vibrations in three second-floor classrooms, along with cracks and an estimated slab deflection of about one inch.
Vibrations were also observed on the third and fourth floors but were assessed to be within tolerable limits.
Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan said the school immediately evacuated pupils and teachers from the building as a precaution.
“Thankfully, safe ang atong mga pupils ug teachers, and they were immediately brought down from the building as a precaution,” King-Chan said.
The city has since cordoned off the building and restricted entry while awaiting a more detailed assessment by a structural engineer from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The initial assessment identified the second floor as requiring particular attention. The third and fourth floors may still be usable, subject to further evaluation and monitoring.
The Department of Education also temporarily pulled out the 12 class sections assigned to the building. Classes will continue through a shifting schedule rather than being suspended.
Under the arrangement, some classes will attend face-to-face sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while other sections will report on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will use the Alternative Delivery Mode on days when they do not have face-to-face classes.
A total of 644 students are covered by the arrangement, including 299 Grade 6 and 161 Grade 5 pupils from regular classes and 184 students from Grades 1 to 6 enrolled in the Special Program in Science.
The City Engineering Office and OBO recommended immediate rectification and rehabilitation of the entire second-floor slab to address the defects and ensure the building’s safety.
They also recommended keeping the affected second-floor classrooms closed until repairs and further structural evaluation are completed. Classes on the third and fourth floors may resume subject to continued assessment and monitoring.
The 12-classroom building was constructed and turned over in 2016 and has been in use for about a decade.
“Safety first ta always. We will wait for the findings of the structural inspection before making any further decisions regarding the use of the building,” King-Chan said.
Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City PIO
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