At the forefront of our mission, the Valenzuela City Government is dedicated to keeping every resident safe and secure. 

In view of the recent incident in Agustin St., Brgy. Karuhatan, the City Government of Valenzuela has implemented the preemptive evacuation measures for twenty-six (26) families residing in the area. This occurred after the Office of the Building Official issued a Declaration of Dangerous Structures (based on PD 1096 or the National Building Code) yesterday, May 26, 2024, stating that the area requires immediate evacuation due to damages and scouring on the concrete road caused by excessive water seepage. The affected citizens along Agustin Street are next to the city government lot, where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is constructing the 4-storey Legislative Building with basement parking.

For their safety, affected families have been temporarily housed at the Malinta Junior High School campus since yesterday. Meals and family comfort packs were provided to the evacuated families.

Together with the DPWH, we would like to assure all residents that J. Simeon Construction Firm, the private contractor responsible for the construction of the Legislative Building beside Agustin St., will be held accountable for the damages incurred, if any.

Immediate action will be taken to address the root causes of the issue and implement permanent solutions. These solutions include:

1. Rectification of roads and drainage systems to prevent further water seepage and erosion;

2. Structural damage assessment to ensure the safety and stability of residential structures; and

3. Installation of a retaining wall to mitigate future risks of erosion and water seepage.

We understand that these solutions will require time and resources to implement effectively. Therefore, we anticipate that the efforts will span approximately six (6) months, which will include the repairs of the structural reengineering and drainage system, as well as the installation of the retaining wall. Due to this, the road will be closed to the general public.

Citizens affected within the area are also advised not to return to their residences until the restoration of the structures is resolved and complete, unless necessary and subject to certain conditions and precautionary measures. The City Government of Valenzuela will also provide financial assistance to the families amounting to PhP 20,000 each and will allocate a designated parking space for the affected residents.

Throughout this period, the City Government will maintain close communication with the affected families and provide regular updates on the progress of the measures discussed. 

The Valenzuela City Government remains committed to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all its residents. We thank everyone for their cooperation, understanding, and patience as we work towards resolving this issue and restoring normalcy to the affected community.

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