Cause of 9-story building collapse in Balibago that killed 30 — Column and pile overload, addition of unapproved structures

📌 On Friday, September 25, the Angeles City Fact-Finding Task Force announced the final cause of the collapse of the 9-story building in Balibago on May 24, which killed 30 people.
The main cause was that the weight exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the columns and piles, and the collapse was further worsened by the addition of steel beams and floor structures during construction that were not in the approved design.

■ May Accident
· On May 24, a 9-story building under finishing construction collapsed in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
· Most of the 30 dead were construction workers. The adjacent Orsu Hotel was also damaged, killing 1 Malaysian and injuring 8 others rescued from the rubble.
· The building owner was a businessman planning to build a luxury hotel, and the contractor was Golden Years Construction and Steelworks.

■ Investigation Results
· Main cause: Column and pile overload. The size, number, and material properties were insufficient to withstand the load, leading to a progressive collapse.
· The columns were designed to bear only vertical weight (gravity) without considering lateral forces.
· Design changes: Steel beams and floor structures were added during construction, increasing the weight, but were not reflected in the original design. There were also reports of construction for an infinity pool on the topmost floor.
· Construction methods and detailing errors also contributed to the collapse.
· DPWH test results regarding substandard materials such as rebar are still pending, tied in with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe.

■ Accountability and Follow-up Measures
· The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered the contractor and building owner to pay about 1.1 million pesos in unpaid wages for 57 workers and about 10.32 million pesos in fines for safety and health violations, totaling approximately 11.43 million pesos. The submission of fake safety and first-aid certificates was also uncovered.
· The city plans to bill the contractor about 9.68 million pesos spent on rescue, retrieval, and debris clearing operations.
· The final report will be forwarded to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and NBI, with 5 criminal complaints already filed.
· The city announced it will review building permits and construction regulations.

■ Notice for Expats and Travelers
· One of the causes of this collapse was the addition of floors and structures outside the approved design. When residing long-term in or leasing condos and apartels, watch out for buildings undergoing construction to add new floors or rooftop facilities after completion.
· The city stated it will commission structural safety assessments for surrounding buildings damaged by the collapse, and reports can be used as a basis for claiming damages. If you are using a building near the Balibago accident site, check the assessment results with the city hall.

■ Sources
SunStar (9/28), BusinessMirror (9/28), Manila Times (9/29) — Surrounding building safety assessments and review of building regulations by BusinessMirror (verified from 1 outlet)

■ Photos
Ruins of the collapsed Balibago building and police securing the site (Manila Times, courtesy of Bureau of Fire Protection Central Luzon), Task Force spokesperson announcing the investigation results (SunStar)