Bulacan church collapse blamed on termites

MANILA, Philippines —  The floor of the balcony of a church in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan that collapsed on Wednesday was infested with termites, an official of the city government said yesterday.

The number of people injured in the incident rose from 45 to 56 yesterday, with one fatality.

Gina Ayson, chief of the city disaster risk reduction and management office, said the second floor balcony of the St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Barangay Tungkong Mangga was made of wood.

“Noong bumagsak lang siya saka nakita na may anay na pala (It was only after the floor collapsed that the termites were exposed),” Ayson said.

She said the church, which is about 30 years old, undergoes regular repainting.

“Kapag nakita ng church management na may kalumaan, talagang ginagawan nila ng paraan na maging maayos sa paningin ng mga parishioners (If they see signs of aging, the management acts immediately to make everything look neat and clean),” Ayson said.

The lone fatality, Luneta Morales, 80, was on the balcony when it collapsed. She was a member of the church choir.