A LOCAL government official yesterday said the second floor of the Bulacan church, a portion of which collapsed during an Ash Wednesday mass, was found to be infested by termites.
The collapse at the St. Peter Apostle Parish Church in Barangay Tungkol Mangga in the San Jose del Monte City killed an 80-year-old female churchgoer and injured over 50 individuals.
Gina Ayson, head of the San Jose del Monte City disaster risk reduction and management office, said the collapse can be attributed to termite infestation and the church’s old age.
She said the church was built about 30 years ago and has undergone renovations.
Ayson said there had been no sign of termites at the second floor prior to the incident.
“It was clean… But when it collapsed, we were surprised that there were termites at the second floor,” she said.
On the injured churchgoers, Ayson said there were 55 injured, including four who are still under observation at a hospital.
Three of four — aged 82, 70 and 49 — suffered bone fracture. One of them, Ayson said, needs surgery.
The fourth victim who is still confined at the hospital is suffering from hypertension, she added.
Ayson said the hospital expenses of the victims will be shouldered by the local government.
Ayson also said holding of masses at the church remains suspended, pending the assessment of the structure’s integrity.