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The Himamaylan housing project in Negros Occidental is facing renewed scrutiny following reports of cracks in several housing units and questions about the development’s proximity to the West Negros Fault. The concerns have brought attention to the project’s construction quality, geological safety and previously reported delays flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).

The concerns involve the Himamaylan City Socialized Housing Project in Barangay III, where dozens of duplex houses have been constructed as part of a development intended to provide affordable housing.

In a report published on November 11, Brigada News Philippines said its Kabankalan team observed cracks in some housing units during an inspection of the property. The inspection was part of its continuing investigation into infrastructure projects previously flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).

The report also cited a HazardHunterPH assessment indicating potential exposure of the development site to the West Negros Fault, raising questions about the property’s geological suitability and the safety of its future occupants.

However, the exact location of the fault relative to the individual housing structures has yet to be established through an official site-specific assessment.

Cracks Found in Housing Units

During its November 11 inspection, Brigada News documented visible cracks in concrete flooring and some portions of the housing development.

The extent and cause of the damage remain unclear. A structural engineer would need to examine the affected units to determine whether the cracks are minor concrete defects or signs of more serious structural problems.

No independent engineering assessment confirming structural damage or declaring the houses unsafe has been made available in the reports reviewed for this article.

The findings have raised concerns about whether the development meets the necessary construction and safety standards, particularly given the reported geological hazard exposure.

West Negros Fault Raises Geological Safety Questions

The reported HazardHunterPH assessment identified a possible connection between the project area and the West Negros Fault, which Brigada News described as potentially active.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), potentially active faults show evidence of deformation, although their movement within the last 10,000 years has not been established with certainty.

The agency cautions that the possibility of future movement along potentially active faults should not be dismissed.

PHIVOLCS provides geological hazard information through its mapping and assessment tools, which can help determine the location of mapped faults and their proximity to specific properties.

The agency also advises the public to seek an official hazard assessment for more reliable site-specific information.

For the Himamaylan development, an official assessment is needed to establish whether any portion of the property or residential structures intersects a mapped fault trace and what safety measures may be necessary.

COA Previously Flagged a 603-Day Project Delay

Aside from the geological concerns, the housing development was previously identified among seven delayed infrastructure and development projects in Himamaylan City.

According to the city’s 2025 Annual Audit Report, the socialized housing project had a contract cost of approximately ₱219.799 million and recorded a 603-day delay despite an extension of its completion schedule to December 19, 2025.

The seven projects identified by COA had a combined contract cost of approximately ₱398.395 million and were financed through the city’s Land Bank of the Philippines borrowing program.

COA also described the housing development as partially functional during its assessment.

The audit findings raised concerns about project implementation, monitoring and contractor accountability. The auditors recommended stronger monitoring measures and appropriate action against contractors who failed to meet their contractual obligations.

The delays also had financial implications for the city, which continued to shoulder interest expenses associated with its borrowings.

Environmental Clearance Does Not Guarantee Structural Safety

Another issue raised in the Brigada News report concerns the project’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

The station reported obtaining a copy of an ECC dated February 16, 2023, covering approximately 71,677 square meters, or 7.1 hectares, of the development site.

According to the reported project description, the approved development includes 487 socialized housing lots, residential structures, commercial areas, roads, drainage facilities, parks and community facilities.

However, the report noted that the proposed development covers approximately 11 hectares, raising questions about whether additional environmental clearance may be necessary for areas outside the approved ECC coverage.

An Environmental Compliance Certificate should not be interpreted as proof that a property is free from earthquake hazards or that its buildings meet structural safety requirements.

These matters require separate technical evaluations and compliance checks.

Government Agencies Asked to Clarify Project Safety

The reported findings highlight the need for further clarification from the concerned government agencies.

The city government, PHIVOLCS, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) have important roles in addressing questions about the project’s geological suitability, construction quality and regulatory compliance.

Brigada News reported that it had sought comments from Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson, MGB and DHSUD, but had not received responses as of its broadcast time on November 11.

Philippine Morning Post has not independently established whether the concerned offices have since issued additional statements.

The following questions remain important:

• Does the West Negros Fault intersect any portion of the housing development?
• Have the cracked housing units undergone structural integrity testing?
• Does the project comply with applicable building and earthquake-resistance standards?
• Does the development require additional environmental clearance for areas beyond the approved ECC coverage?
• What corrective measures have been undertaken in response to COA’s audit findings?

Public Safety and Accountability Remain Key Concerns

The Himamaylan housing development highlights the importance of ensuring that government-funded housing projects meet construction, environmental and disaster-risk requirements.

While the visible cracks and reported fault-line exposure warrant further investigation, technical findings are necessary before conclusions can be made about the safety of the structures.

For prospective beneficiaries and residents, obtaining clear answers from the responsible agencies is essential.

The public deserves transparency regarding the project’s implementation, the use of public funds and the measures being taken to ensure that the housing units are safe for occupancy.

Philippine Morning Post will continue to monitor official statements and developments concerning the housing project.