The owner of the building that collapsed in Barangay Balibago has pledged full cooperation with the investigation being conducted by the Angeles City Government and committed to extending assistance to affected victims and their families.

During a press conference led by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, Atty. Willie Rivera, legal counsel for property owner Ernest Jackson Lim, said his client would fully cooperate with the fact-finding committee created by the city government to determine the cause of the incident and identify those responsible.

Rivera said the property owner also plans to conduct a parallel investigation in support of the local government’s probe.

He added that Lim remains committed to assisting those affected by the tragedy, assuring victims and their families that the owner will not turn away from his responsibilities and will provide the necessary support to help ease their burden.

Meanwhile, Atty. Nicolai Manguerra, legal counsel for project contractor Golden Years Construction and Steelworks, likewise assured the public that the contractor would provide assistance to all those affected by the collapse.

Manguerra clarified that his client is not evading responsibility, noting that company representatives immediately coordinated with victims and their families following the incident. He explained that the contractor opted not to personally appear at the site in the immediate aftermath due to safety concerns as emotions were running high.

The contractor’s legal counsel also maintained that appropriate construction materials were used in the project and that all documentary and regulatory requirements had been secured before construction began.

Both parties said they would continue to cooperate with authorities as investigations into the collapse proceed.