We are not opposed to them building, but they must do it responsibly. We are human beings.”.
Building collapses are becoming increasingly common in the Dominican Republic. Yesterday, Friday, June 13, in Santiago de los Caballeros, part of the roof of a commercial plaza under construction collapsed. Construction had presumably been halted by the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed) for failing to meet required standards.
Just this week, the mayor of Santiago, Ulises Rodríguez , announced the creation of the Municipal Directorate of Technical Supervision of Buildings and Public Safety , a specialized unit that will guarantee compliance with urban regulations and structural safety in public and private buildings.
“Santiago is experiencing a moment of urban transformation . This Directorate was created to ensure that no building, new or old, poses a risk to human life due to unauthorized modifications or structural deterioration ,” the mayor stated during the official presentation of the entity.
Previous minor collapses
The new collapse, in which there was no human tragedy, occurred around 2:00 pm in the La Gallera sector of Santiago, at a time when wood removal work inside the construction site.
The regional director of Civil Defense , Francisco Arias, reported that the project had already been halted by the Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Housing (MIVHED), allegedly due to irregularities in the type of structure. However, construction continued despite the opposition of the agency responsible for inspections in the country.
Witnesses reported that several Haitian nationals who worked at the construction site ran out after the collapse.
Residents Families have lived here their whole lives, elderly people who can’t sleep peacefully every time they hear a loud noise,” said Lidia Pérez, an 89-year-old resident. “We’re not against the construction, but they need to do it responsibly. We’re human beings.”
They also noted that minor collapses had occurred on previous occasions and that the basement of the structure is constantly flooded, which could be affecting the stability of the ground.
They made an urgent appeal to the authorities responsible for supervising buildings to thoroughly investigate what happened and to take preventive measures to guarantee the safety of those who live in the surrounding area.
