MANILA, Philippines – A floor of the old Philippine Airlines building on Gallardo Street, Legazpi Village in Makati City reportedly gave way at noon yesterday, causing debris to fall from the structure.

RDR General Merchandise, the demolition contractor, however, said the floor did not collapse but was being systematically demolished to give way to the construction of a new edifice.

The police said no injury was reported although small fragments of plaster debris hit two vehicles and a glass panel of David’s Tea House across the demolition site.

10-story

Supt. Gilbert Cruz, the Makati chief of police, said the incident happened a few minutes before noon.

“Some people panicked because of the loud crash. The debris looked like ashfall,” Cruz told the Inquirer.

The building was scheduled for partial dismantling yesterday. The flooring fell as work began on the second story.

Cruz said the demolition of the structure, which would be replaced by a condominium, was supposed to go “full blast” on Friday.

Demolition

City engineer Nelson Morales, however, ordered a temporary halt to the demolition. He said the city engineering office would check the demolition plan of RDR General Merchandise, which got the demolition permit Nov. 15.

RDR said it would take responsibility for the incident. It had also taken steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.

RDR general manager Garry del Rosario said he spoke to the owners of the damaged cars and the management of David’s Tea House about the replacement of the broken glass.

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