Daven Tamayo

Victims' kin in Pampanga building collapse hope, pray for survivors

Article (news)

Gracie Rutao

ABS-CBN News

<p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/26/18-still-missing-in-pampanga-building-collapse-as-retrieval-ops-start-0942">Search and retrieval operations</a> continued on Tuesday at the site of a collapsed 9-storey building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga as families remained hopeful that their missing loved ones will still be found alive.</p><p>At around noon, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Jon Lazatin, various government agencies, and members of the clergy, led a prayer offering and blessing at the site where a nine-story condominium project collapsed onto a nearby hotel. </p><p>Lazatin said there was no definite timeline yet for the completion of the clearing and retrieval operations as the safety of responders remained the top priority.</p><p>“Yan ang walang katiyakan. Unang-una kailangan din natin pangalagaan ang safety ng responders natin kaya based sa assessment ng engineer office ng DPWH at mga pribadong gustong tumulong sa atin na structural engineer, doon tayo magbabase kung paano natin ie-extract or aayusin yung clearing operations,” said Lazatin.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/25/angeles-lgu-to-shift-to-retrieval-ops-after-no-signs-of-life-detected-in-collapsed-building-2257">&#x27;No signs of life detected&#x27; in collapsed building</a></div><p>Families of the missing victims continue to arrive at the site from different provinces, including Bulacan and Bicol, while waiting for updates on their loved ones.</p><p>Among them is Jamaica Angcao, who has been at the site since Sunday morning while waiting for news about her parents who are believedto be among those still missing.</p><p>“Hindi po ako nawawalan ng pag-asa kasi nararamdaman ko po nandodoon pa po sila naghihintay ng rescue,” Angcao said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/26/-buhay-ang-kuya-ko-kin-refuse-to-lose-hope-after-angeles-city-building-collapse-rescue-ops-end-0744">&#x27;Buhay ang kuya ko&#x27;: Kin refuse to lose hope after Angeles City building collapse rescue ops end </a></div><p>Meanwhile, Pineda personally checked on the affected families and distributed cash assistance and food packs to help with their temporary needs while operations continue.</p><p>“Nakakaawa naman sila tapos itong family iba-iba pala silang lugar, iba&#x27;t ibang probinsya tapos yung iba ang bata-bata pa. Hanggat hindi raw nakikita mga families nila hindi sila aalis, so nagbigay tayo ng konting panggastos nila hanggang nandito sila habang nag-aantay,” Pineda said.</p><p>Based on the latest report, a total of 47 individuals were affected by the incident. Of the number, 27 have been rescued while 16 remain missing. Authorities also confirmed four fatalities.</p><p>According to authorities, backhoes are now being used for clearing operations while dump trucks continue hauling debris away from the collapse site.</p><p>Personnel also remain on standby for the planned crane operations aimed at speeding up the ongoing search and retrieval efforts at ground zero.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qldFuyj8ntQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V79nEbRUoBg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Search and retrieval operations continue at the site of a collapsed 9-storey building under construction as families remain hopeful that their missing loved ones will still be found alive.</p>

Search and retrieval operations continue at the site of a collapsed 9-storey building under construction as families remain hopeful that their missing loved ones will still be found alive.