Bacolod City – The administration of Mayor Renato Gustilo is now determining what help it could extend to the Colegio de Sta. Rita (CSR), considered among the historical landmarks in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, after its main building was destroyed by a fire on August 14.
Joe Alingasa, City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head, said that they are awaiting a report from the City Engineering Department (CED), which recently conducted a Rapid Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) on the burned building of CSR.
We are currently waiting for the report of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and CED, so that we will know how the city government can help, Alingasa said.
The conflagration at CSR resulted in the damage of its annex building (convent), and a portion of the main building, including the computer room, treasurer’s office, college faculty, sister’s quarters, guidance office, girl’s dormitory, library, and a chapel.
Engr. Magnolia Antonio, CED officer in charge, disclosed that the assessment of the destroyed building id aimed at establishing boundaries and prohibited areas for students.
Estimated damage was placed by the BFP at P18 million.
Chief Inspector Rufino Tañedo, San Carlos City Fire Marshall, yesterday said that they are sending pieces of evidence they have gathered, for submission to the BFP national office, for laboratory examination to determine the cause of fire.
“We expect to come out with the final findings of the arson investigation after 14 days,” Tañedo said.
Alingasa also said that the city government is concerned about the welfare of eight working students, and there is also the issue of how the students will continue with their classes since some classrooms were burned down, he added. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star, photo courtesy of Digicast)
