CLO says city gov’t can recover Halandumon tower damages

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City –City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan said the city government can recover the P400,000 damage on the Halandumon Tower after a Korean national hit the structure with his SUV.

“We are sure we can recover the damages caused to the property We have information that there is an insurance coverage for the claim,” Bayatan said.

The Halandumon Tower became the center of controversy recently after two Korean nationals figured in an accident in the edifice.

The incident injured the driver Inhwan Shin, 46, of Barangay Tangub, Bacolod, and his unidentified passenger.

Photos of the accident posted online triggered netizens to post comments and question the construction.

The Halandumon Tower, considered to be one of the city’s tourism landmarks, was meant to commemorate the success of living in the city over the past 80 year.

Eight mini towers represent a decade each.

Earlier, Engr. Loben Rafael Ceballos, project engineer of the tower, brushed off claims of corruption in the said project.

He said the contractor followed the project specification.

Ceballos also gave the contractor three months to finish the project.

The P4.8-million Halandumon Tower, which was unveiled on June 18, 2019 during the Charter Day celebration of Bacolod City, is 14.9 meters high.

Its design concept was drawn by the United Architects of the Philippines.

Ceballos said that while the project is considered completed, it has yet to be turned over to the city by contractor Hummingbird Construction.