Leni taps PICE-Naga to audit bldgs for earthquate safety; LGU Naga boosts stratigic leadership in CSW training

THE Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) – Naga City chapter has offered its services to audit buildings and facilities owned by the city government and private companies to ensure their structural integrity in preparation for possible future earthquakes.

Mayor Leni Robredo said the PICE-Naga has been linked with the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to coordinate the schedule and technical requirements for the inspections, which are expected to begin late this month or early next month. The CEO is currently conducting data gathering on various buildings in the city to support the audit.

Engr. Khyrwin Hidalgo of the CEO said that the PICE-Naga City and the City Engineer’s Office agreed to include both old and new buildings and structures in the assessment, including evacuation centers, police and BFP headquarters, hospitals, school buildings, and churches.

The City Hall building and the 56-year-old Naga City People’s Mall (NCPM)—a three-story public market occupying a 1.3-hectare lot in the city's Central Business District I—are among the LGU-owned structures to be evaluated, especially the NCPM, which has experienced several fire incidents in different sections over the years.

“We cannot simply rely on earlier assessments that say this building or that building is safe. We want a thorough and updated audit,” Robredo said, noting that the review is expected to continue until the end of the year.

Structural audits, according to engineers, are a proactive safety measure intended to prevent the loss of life and damage to property during earthquakes. Through these assessments, experts are able to:

• Identify structural weaknesses such as cracks, corrosion, and outdated materials

• Ensure compliance with updated seismic building standards

• Prevent large-scale casualties caused by collapsing structures

• Minimize economic losses and protect public investments

• Guide disaster preparedness plans and retrofitting priorities

• Safeguard critical infrastructure needed during emergencies

• Strengthen public confidence in building safety

Robredo underscored that her city is taking the prevention route seriously. “We cannot afford to be complacent. Earthquakes strike without warning. Preparation is our best defense,” she said. Jason B. Neola

To better equip its department heads and leaders with strategic leadership skills, the City Government of Naga conducted a Completed Staff Work (CSW) training on November 13, 2025. CSW is a management mechanism that requires staff to create well-prepared reports to help leaders understand problems quickly and make decisions.

Participated in by 56 department heads, leaders, and representatives, the training aims to strengthen Naga City Hall’s CSW, starting from the basic steps, techniques and leadership core values.

As noted by Seig Borromeo, the Transition Team’s HR designate, this initiative addresses the need for departments to adhere to the same processes, expectations, and methods when preparing reports and assignments for Mayor Leni Robredo and the city’s executive management committees.

According to Mayor Leni Robredo, she saw the importance of CSW during her vice presidency, where solutions were already prepared by the time someone came forward for help.

Borromeo said that the training is expected to benefit Nagueños by making city operations more efficient, solution-oriented and results-driven. “Instead of presenting raw problems to the mayor, departments will now present options. That means faster decisions and more time for Mayor Leni to focus on strategic, long-term work for Naga,” she said.

The session was led by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) Chief Human Resources Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, Retired PCOL Alexander M. Arevalo, and Sieg Borromeo, at the 2nd Floor of PAGCOR Building in Balatas, Naga City.