The Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) has issued red tag and yellow tag notices to several establishments following rapid visual inspections conducted after the recent series of strong earthquakes in the region.
OCBO head Architect Khasyahar Toghyani explained to the media in a press conference that the tagging system conducted in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Davao City Chapter,
was implemented to ensure public safety and identify structures that sustained varying degrees of damage.
He said buildings under red tag were found to have sustained severe damage, making them unsafe for use or entry.
Toghyani added that under this tag occupancy is strictly prohibited until a full structural assessment is completed and necessary repairs are cleared by the OCBO.
The following establishments received red tag notices: Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (administrative and school buildings); the Velvet Suites and Hotel / Oroderm City; Magallanes Residences (Toledo-Building 3); and Teleperformance Davao at Ecoland.
He emphasized Mapúa is currently deemed unsafe for occupancy.
Toghyani said that the assessment at Mapúa showed extensive damage to the school building where the classrooms are located.
He said the stairs and granite slabs near the elevator have collapsed and cracked, the ceilings have caved in, and the sprinklers in the auditorium are leaking.
“For Mapua, their engineers claim that purely architectural ang damages and that would be true, I would still argue its not just the integrity of your structure. It is safety as well. If we go back sa national building code ang pinaka duty sa isa ka building official is to safeguard life and property,” he said.
He also said they already inspected the Velvet Suites on Friday, put caution tape and issued restrictions as unsafe.
“But I received reports that they (Velvet) removed the caution tape and back to regular operation. The Velvet Suites and Hotel hangtod karon wala pa na sila’y occupancy permit. They applied but was denied. While ga-apply sila ug occupancy permit, they are already occupying it,” he said.
Buildings under yellow tag were issued to structures that showed moderate structural or non-structural damage.
Toghyani said these may still be partially used under controlled conditions and with OCBO’s approval after the required repairs.
The establishments under yellow tag include Felcris Centrale (Buildings A, B, and C); Gaisano Mall of Davao – Bajada (parking building); Vivaldi Residences Davao; and Mesatierra Garden Residences.
Toghyani reminded building owners and administrators to comply with safety requirements before allowing re-occupancy.
Toghyani urged building owners and administrators to ensure full compliance with safety regulations prior to reopening their establishments.
“I would like to remind those establishments nga naka recieve ug red or yellow tag please comply with those notices para wala’y madisgrasya,” Toghyani said.
He said ongoing inspections are still being conducted in other establishments with reported cracks or visible damage.
He reiterated that these precautionary measures are part of efforts to protect residents, tenants, and the public, ensuring that all structures in Davao City remain safe and structurally sound following the recent earthquakes.
