Part of Makati building collapses; no one hurt

A part of a condominium building in Makati City collapsed before noon Thursday, according to Rod Vega's report on Dobol B sa News TV.

Mayor Abby Binay identified the commercial-residential building involved as SMDC’s Jazz Residences, which is located at Nicanor Garcia Street in Barangay Bel-Air Village.

In a statement, SMDC said the facade wall of the parking level at the building sustained damage that caused its outer slab to collapse to the driveway at around 11 a.m.

"As a safety precaution residents were directed to stay near Metropolitan Avenue," it said.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Binay said the slab fell from the 5th floor of the building.

Citing initial report, Binay said an explosion was heard when the part of the building collapsed. Due to this, she said a bomb squad was deployed to the area to inspect.

Binay said the building was relatively new.

There is no instruction yet for the residents to evacuate, Binay said. At least three vehicles were damaged but no casualty was reported so far, she said.

The area was already cordoned off while some building officials are inspecting the condominium.

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Makati City Police chief Colonel Rogelio Simon said the collapsed wall was found at the Tower D of Jazz Residences, which has four towers.

He also said probers did not find traces of explosion.

“Walang nakitang traces nang pagsabog. Siguro yung sinasabi ng mga residente ay yung sounds ng debris at wall na bumagsak,” Simon said.

The management of the building ordered all residents even in Towers A , B, and C to get out the building. Simon said the authorities had a hard time controlling the people in panic.

He said the residents still have to observe social distancing.

The authorities are assessing if it is safe for residents to return to Tower D. --KBK, GMA News