By Gissel Taveras
El Inmobiliario
Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED) revealed yesterday, Monday, that to date it has not received a request for an initial inspection of the Evaristo Morales project, where two people lost their lives early Sunday morning when their vehicle fell into a hole dug for the construction of a building.
In a statement, it specified that in accordance with Regulation R-004, Article 62, in the case of building works, the director responsible for the work must place tarpaulins to control dust or other minor substances, as well as a safe protection around the project area.
“When the building includes underground constructions or deep excavations, this protection must withstand impact blows to reduce the danger in case of accidents, in accordance with the provisions of the General Construction Specifications and other applicable standards and regulations,” the document states.
The MIVHED regretted the tragic event and expressed its condolences to the affected families.
The statement says that in accordance with the provisions of Technical Regulation R 0-21, specifically in point 2.3.2.6, it establishes that: "No work shall begin for which a building permit has not been previously obtained.".
However, when it only involves excavations for foundations, installation of construction equipment, temporary sheds for storing materials or tools for carrying out the works, the Processing, Valuation and Licensing Department may grant provisional authorization for the execution of the aforementioned works.
In this regard, the MIVHED (Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Housing) reports that prior to its establishment, obtaining this authorization was not a standard practice.
In the case of the project located in Evaristo Morales, which, according to its construction license registration number 1033-2023 issued on May 7, 2024, was in the preliminary stage of an initial inspection as described in Article 100 of R-004.
“At MIVED, we reiterate our commitment to the safety and well-being of all citizens. We pledge to continue working closely with those responsible for construction projects to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and standards,” they stated.
The agency states that it launched a campaign in early 2023, indicating the obligation to obtain this authorization in cases of preliminary work, such as excavations; authorizations that would be required in each work identified by the MIVHED, when it was in this stage.
"This was so that the MIVHED could validate the quality and safety controls at that time, prior to the start of the construction stages of the building projects; since according to article 100 of Regulation R-004, it indicates that it is in the initial inspection by stages of a work, where the dimensions of the excavation of the footings, the depths of foundation, will be checked, according to what is established in the plans.".
And it adds: "Therefore, for this first technical inspection, the excavation work may already have been carried out, which reaffirms the importance of the application for provisional authorization for the execution of excavations (R-021, 2.3.26) and for which, to date, multiple excavations that did not have the proper permits have been sanctioned.".
