ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — The Iloilo Hall of Justice has been temporarily closed following the strong earthquake last February 6.

Executive Judge Danilo Galvez announced its temporary closure last February 9 upon the instruction of Supreme Court’s Deputy Court Administrator for Western Visayas, Raul Villanueva.

Galvez said the decision was made by the Supreme Court as employees fear the 20-year-old building is no longer structurally sound after seeing big cracks and what appear as fractures in some of the building’s concrete beams.

It was Galvez and his staff who were initially evacuated at the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 after two horizontal beams that support the second floor were dislodged.

Days following the earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks, court employees noticed more cracks on the building’s walls.

Iloilo City assistant prosecutor Jeremy Bionat said occupants can feel the building shaking and could hear frequent squeaking sounds.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is still waiting for the consolidated report of the Iloilo City Engineer’s Office and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-Iloilo City District Engineering Office) on its ocular inspection.

Galvez added that decisions will be made this week when full operation resumes.

Officially known as the Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice, it was constructed during the Corazon Aquino presidency at a cost of some P200 million.