Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for a Senate investigation into the collapse of a nine-story building in Angeles City, Pampanga, which has left four people dead and at least 17 others still missing.
Under proposed Senate Resolution No. 406 filed on Monday, May 25, Pangilinan urged the Senate to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the tragedy that occurred along Teodoro Street in Barangay Balibago.
Initial reports indicated that the collapse may have been caused by the unauthorized construction of an additional floor, which allegedly weakened the structural integrity of the building.
Pangilinan said the incident highlights the urgent need to strengthen enforcement of building safety regulations in both public and private construction projects.
“Sinasalamin ng aksidenteng ito ang agarang pangangailangan na palakasin ang pagpapatupad ng mga safety regulations sa pagtatayo ng mga gusali, pampubliko man o pribado. Dahil sa huli, ang mga kawawa nating kababayan ang nagdudusa sa kapabayaang ito,” the senator said.
The proposed resolution also seeks a comprehensive review of the National Building Code and related regulations, including occupational safety standards and accountability measures for those responsible.
The Senate inquiry aims to determine whether negligence, use of substandard materials, unauthorized structural modifications, weak oversight, or lapses in permitting, inspection, occupational safety enforcement, and disaster preparedness contributed to the collapse.
Pangilinan, whose family roots trace back to Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, also expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and urged government agencies to provide immediate assistance and transparent updates on rescue and recovery efforts.
“Ang prayoridad natin ay ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan. Utang natin sa mga biktima na ilabas ang katotohanan tungkol sa insidenteng ito at gumawa ng mga batas at polisiya para maiwasan na mangyari ang mga ganitong trahedya sa darating na panahon,” he added.
Authorities continue search and retrieval operations at the collapse site as investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
