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President Rodrigo Duterte visits quake-hit areas in Pampanga. | Photo from MPC Pool
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday ordered the suspension of business operations of Chuzon Supermarkets in Pampanga following the collapse of one of its buildings in the town of Porac during the magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Monday.
The President made the order during a situation briefing held at the Pampanga Provincial Hall on the effects of the strong temblor that rattled parts of Luzon.
“Well, in probability, the one who constructs the supermarket here could also be the one who constructed the others. I’d like to presume that, although I stand corrected,” Duterte said.
“So it would be a good time to just give them the advise to stop, cease and desist in doing business until such time that the clearance [is] given by government, whether city engineer or whoever is competent to review the planning, ” he added.
Duterte’s order came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended the issuance of an order for the suspension of the supermarket chain’s business permit.
The President said it was “appalling” that the grocery branch collapsed, considering that the building was just four years old.
The earthquake hit Pampanga the hardest, although its epicenter was located in Castillejos, Zambales.
READ: Phivolcs explains why Pampanga was hit hardest by Luzon quake
Several structures and roads in the province sustained damages after an earthquake rocked parts of Luzon late Monday afternoon.
Earlier on Tuesday, Duterte visited the quake-hit areas in Pampanga, including the collapsed Chuzon Supermarket in Porac.
Based on the latest data released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, 16 people were killed in Monday’s quake.
READ: Luzon quake death toll rises to 16
Of the 16 reported fatalities, 12 were from Porac, two from Lubao and one from Angeles in Pampanga. One fatality was also reported in San Marcelino, Zambales.
The NDRRMC also said that 81 people were injured and 14 remain missing. — Robie de Guzman
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