Angeles City officials have called on the owner and contractor of the under-construction condotel that collapsed last Sunday to surface and cooperate with authorities as families continue to seek answers over the tragedy that killed four people and left 16 others missing.
City information chief Jose “Jay” Pelayo IV said the local government has been trying to reach the parties behind the project, but they have yet to appear at the site days after the collapse.
Officials earlier identified the building owner as Ernest Jackson Lim and the contractor as Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corporation.
“We’ve been in the area for several days now, but still they’re no-show,” Pelayo said in a radio interview.
The local government has issued a show cause order against the contractor as authorities begin a broader investigation into the incident.
Pelayo said frustration has grown among city officials because the families of the victims deserve direct answers, while investigators need the full cooperation of those involved in the project.
He said accountability must begin with the owner and contractor showing up and explaining what happened.
The Angeles City government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have launched a comprehensive probe into the collapse. Pelayo said investigators will look into all possible lapses, including whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
He added that city building officials may also be held accountable depending on the findings of the investigation.
“No one will be spared,” Pelayo said.
On Tuesday, authorities shifted from search and rescue to search and retrieval operations after life locators detected no signs of life beneath the rubble.
Heavy equipment, cranes, and specialized cutting tools are now being used at the site as teams work to recover the missing.
Pelayo said retrieval operations would continue with caution because responders are still dealing with possible human remains.
He said the families of the missing remain at the site, hoping that their loved ones can be recovered in the best possible condition.