Talisay Resumes Office in Makeshift Tents

With its three-story City Hall building undergoing a major inspection after last Tuesday’s quake, the Talisay City government on Thursday mounted tents at the City Hall grounds to serve as offices.

“Good thing we have already asphalted this portion of the parking area, otherwise we would be stepping on muds,” said city administrator John Eyre delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes, who was also holding his office under a collapsible tent, said three weeks ago the city had asphalted that portion of the city hall grounds to be made as a parking lot.

The city administrator said they will stay in their tents until the engineers would give the clearance that it is safe to use the nine-year-old building. After the earthquake last Tuesday, the City Engineering Office immediately inspected the building and discovered large cracks in the offices of the vice mayor, city budget, the human resource to name a few, prompting him to recommend to the Mayor a thorough inspection of the building to find out the extent of the damage.

Delos Reyes said they expect to get the reports of the engineers anytime this week.

Meanwhile, portable toilets, and hundreds of monoblock chairs were scattered at the grounds to service the residents who have concerns at the City Hall. Computers and other equipment of the different departments were also brought downstairs.

Delos Reyes said he liked the new set-up as it gives them fresh air. “Maka-save pud ang syudad sa kuryente kay wa namay nigamit og aircon diri,” he said.