The office of the building official (OBO) of the city government issued an order to vacate the new three-story building of the Holy Spirit School constructed at their new site in barangay Dao, this city.

Engr. Teodore Estoque, OBO head issued the order last Friday after a 15-day grace period earlier given to HSS administration has expired without complying to the required sanitary, comfort and safety requirements intended to put safe the hundreds of elementary students and teachers occupying the new building.

The HSS administration immediately filed a letter of appeal that the order to vacate be lifted as they asked for an extension to comply with the basic requirements. Questioned by the OBO were the non functioning of the sprinkler in case of fire, no fixed grill on the windows and the absence of a water supply.

City Administrator Edi Borja told The Chronicle that per instruction from Mayor Baba Yap who is in Manila, the request for extension should not be granted as the city government does not like to risk the lives of the students.

The school earlier insisted to occupy the building even with the absence of a Certificate of Occupancy while the fire safety measures were not likewise complied.

It was learned that HSS suspended its classes on Tuesday as they declare it as “Teacher’s Day.” Concerned parents questioned why HSS administration should not agree to temporarily hold classes at the old building in downtown Tagbilaran amidst the risk posed at the new building.

Meanwhile, the Federated Parents-Teachers Association, in its position paper said “they are against any move to extend the illegal and unsafe stay in the new school building.” Likewise the FPTA stated they want classes to resume at the old school site in downtown HSS pending compliance to the OBO requirements.

SAFER. This is the old site of Holy Spirit School in downtown area where parents want their kids to temporarily hold classes while safety requirements are being awaited for compliance at their new site in Dao district, this city.