Teodoro Tejada and Edgar Martínez demand greater oversight and supervision to prevent tragedies like the collapse in La Romana.
By Pedro Ardón
El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO. – The tragedy that occurred on January 31, 2025, when a three-story building collapsed in the Villa Nazaret sector of La Romana, leaving three people dead, has once again raised concerns about deficiencies in technical supervision and compliance with regulations in construction projects in the country.
The lack of oversight by the authorities, coupled with non-compliance with required permits and the resistance of developers to hire adequate supervision, are factors that coincide in the opinions of experts in the construction sector.
The case in La Romana, where authorities reported that the building owner was arrested for not having the corresponding permits, highlights the urgent need for greater oversight and compliance with legal procedures in construction.
In this regard, experts Teodoro Tejada and Edgar Martínez, former president and former secretary of the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (CODIA), respectively, pointout that accidents and collapses, like the one that occurred on this occasion, will continue to happen as long as the responsibility is not assumed to guarantee safe works in accordance with the established regulations.
Tejada stated that the lack of rigorous technical supervision is one of the main causes of collapses and accidents in the country's construction projects. "Technical supervision must be comprehensive, not superficial. Many developers are reluctant to hire specialized supervision teams because they see it as an additional expense, when in reality this expense is an investment that prevents construction defects, claims, and lawsuits," Tejada asserted.
The expert also emphasized that non-compliance with basic building regulations, such as the inclusion of fire escapes or the use of appropriate materials, is another recurring problem in construction projects. "Buildings are being erected without adhering to the requirements of the relevant authorities, which creates serious risks to the safety of the occupants," Tejada warned.
Edgar Martínez, former secretary of CODIA and an architect, also expressed concern about the frequent collapses and the lack of technical supervision of the construction projects. Martínez pointed out that, according to Civil Code 1792, developers and builders have civil liability for construction defects for a period of 10 years after the completion of the work.
"It is vital that builders and developers commit to complying with all established technical parameters, as non-compliance with regulations can lead to tragedies like the one that occurred in La Romana," Martínez emphasized.
The architect added that the lack of adequate technical supervision, coupled with developers' reluctance to invest in these services, continues to be one of the main reasons for poor construction quality and accidents.
Building collapsed. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
"Technical supervision is not an expense, it's an investment in safety and tragedy prevention. Developers must take responsibility and ensure their projects are reviewed and supervised by qualified professionals," Martínez stated.
A Call to Action:
Both experts agreed that, to prevent situations like the one in La Romana from happening again, it is essential that authorities and developers make a genuine commitment to construction safety. Construction projects must comply with established legal and technical requirements, and supervision must be an essential component of any project. Implementing stricter oversight measures, requiring permits, and hiring specialized supervision companies are key steps to prevent future tragedies.
The Codia
“Elementary failures and structural deficiencies in the construction” were the causes that led to the collapse of the building, which left three people dead and two injured in La Romana, according to a preliminary survey carried out by a commission of the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (Codia), headed by its president Engineer Carlos Mendoza and the geologist Osiris De León.
The collapse
The building under construction collapsed at noon last Friday while workers were on site. Local authorities reported that the construction had been authorized by the city council and work had continued. Of the trapped workers, all Haitian nationals, three died and two were rescued alive and are out of danger.
