Ilocos Norte conducts soil testing of gov’t lots, checks durability of old buildings

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

In a move to secure old public buildings and new government buildings to be constructed in Laoag City, the Ilocos Norte provincial government has commissioned technical experts to conduct soil testing of several government lots here for commercial use.

Soil testing and analysis is now being mandated by law for structural engineers to design efficient and accurate designs for a long term viability of a building project to prevent loss of lives and damage to property.

Engr. Charito Julian, executive assistant to the governor, said accredited experts based in Baguio City has started drilling around the Dap-ayan Center, a local food court in Laoag City starting March 17 to determine the bearing-capacity of the soil which will be used as basis in designing the foundation of a mixed-use or multi-purpose commercial building to be erected in the area soon.

Learning from the Visayas experience when an earthquake hit and destroyed its famous tourism landmarks and killing several people, Julian said, “We do not wish to be likened [to] Bohol so we are initiating a pro-active measure for the safety of our people and advice concerned authorities for the protection of old buildings particularly of heritage churches.”

As a prime tourist destination, Ilocos Norte, under the administration of Governor Ma. Imelda R. Marcos, is gearing for the implementation of its tourism development master plan, involving the entire province which is expected to be benefitted by the tourism influx.

As initial steps, tourism support facilities have to be in place.

This is why the Ilocos Norte government is clearing some of its prime government lots to accommodate investors through the public and private partnership.

At present, the Dap-ayan Center including the old Marcos Hall of Justice at the heart of the city is being eyed as a proposed site for a multiple-storey building for commercial use.

The Marcos Hall of Justice will also be relocated near the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium where the provincial government donated a lot for the construction of a new building to be funded by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

After checking the Dap-ayan Center and its adjacent Marcos Hall of Justice, Julian said that the group will proceed to the Provincial Capitol building, then to the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and the heritage churches to check their structural stability.

Earlier this year, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake rocked the province of Ilocos Norte with a warning of possible aftershocks. No report of damages was reported but some crack lines were observed in old buildings and tourism landmarks such as the UNESCO-world heritage Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos town and the picturesque St. Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

It may be recalled that the Provincial Capitol building also underwent retrofitting operation during the construction of its east and west wings.