Gas leak, negligence caused Serendra blast

• DILG Sec. Mar Roxas leads the press briefing on probe into Serendra condo blast last …

The Two Serendra blast last May was caused by a combination of a gas leak and negligence, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Thursday.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, Roxas said results of their probe into the blast revealed that it was not caused by a bomb. He said the leak was caused by a renovation that was done at Unit 501-B, where the blast emanated. Negligence also caused the blast, Roxas said.

"Hindi nakuha lahat ng mga permits for renovation at ginalaw ang gas range kahit na hindi siya kabahagi ng inapplyan na renovations dun sa unti na iyon. Pangalawa, hinayaan ma-occupy renovated unit after the renovation without inspection. Pangatlo unauthorized access sa mga gas valve na ito at pang-apat yung inadequate safety devices. Medyo pabaya yung mga nanunungkulan dito sa mga bagay na ito,” Roxas said in a press briefing.
Based from DILG’s findings, those liable for the incident are: owners and caretakers of the unit; RM Ladrido, contractor of the renovation; the owner of the building Two Serendra, Inc; Bonifacio Gas Corporation; and Makati Development Corporation for their non-functional safety devices.
The findings of their probe will be submitted to the Justice Department. The DOJ will then decide if charges should be filed against those who are liable for the explosion.

The camp of Marianne Cayton, the owner of the unit, however, expressed disappointment and disagreement with the findings.

“That it would take the DILG 4 months to arrive at this conclusion was disheartening enough. That the findings are even contrary to the evidence that Ms. Cayton had willingly given to the DILG is just plain disgusting and borders on ineptitude,” said Atty. Raymond Fortun, legal counsel of Cayton.

Cayton’s camp provided documents such as gas meter readings to help in the investigation.

“From the documents, it is clear that there could not have been a leak that may have occurred during the period of renovation.  There was a very minimal consumption of gas between March 20 and April 25, and no consumption/leakage/wastage or whatever from April 25 all the way until after the workers renovating the Unit had left.”

Fortun also noted that the renovation of the unit occurred from April 8, 2013 up to May 21, 2013.

The blast which struck Two Serendra in Taguig last May 31 left 4 people dead, including the tenant of the unit which exploded.