Clearing operations at the site of a collapsed building in Angeles City resumed Wednesday, May 27, after being temporarily halted the previous night due to heavy rain.

Authorities said efforts to remove debris and secure the area in Barangay Balibago restarted early Wednesday morning as weather conditions improved, allowing rescue and retrieval teams to continue their work.

Furthermore, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is scheduled to visit the site later in the day to assess the situation firsthand and coordinate with local officials and responders, as reported by RH Grace Sansano.

On Tuesday night, the Angeles City government released a statement calling on the building’s contractor and owner to cooperate with authorities. Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II urged those involved to come forward, stressing that accountability is essential if negligence is found to have caused the collapse.

“The families of the victims deserve answers. The authorities deserve cooperation. The public deserves accountability — and accountability begins with showing up,” Lazatin said.

The mayor has ordered a full investigation into the incident, vowing that those responsible will be held accountable. He also assured affected families that the city government would pursue the truth behind the tragedy.

Earlier Tuesday, retrieval operations continued under a Unified Command structure, with responders conducting systematic and careful efforts at the collapse site.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection Special Rescue Force used cranes as anchor points while navigating the unstable structure, cutting through metal bars and interconnected scaffolding to prepare for the safe entry of heavy equipment.

Teams also worked to clear debris and open pathways for machinery needed in the operation. Continuous assessment and monitoring were being conducted in all cleared areas to ensure the safety of responders and the public.

Officials emphasized that the operation prioritizes a safe, orderly, and dignified recovery process for those affected. Protocols for the management and identification of missing and recovered individuals remain in place.

As of writing, authorities reported at least four confirmed fatalities, with more or less 16 individuals still unaccounted for. A total of 27 people have been rescued from the debris as retrieval operations continue at the site.