The local government here on Wednesday reopened the portion of Davao-Cotabato national highway after the quake-damaged Eva’s Hotel was fully demolished following the deadline set by the Office of the City Building Official (OBO).

Since last year, the portion of the national highway fronting the damaged hotel was closed to ensure the safety of public commuters from the possible collapse of the building.

In addition, the local government also ordered the closure of commercial establishments, including a hospital, near the hotel, to prevent risks.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista led the ceremonial opening of the Daang Maharlika highway in the vicinity to signal the revival of economic activity at the city center where the Eva Hotel once stood.

“This resulted in the normal flow of traffic while neighboring establishments can now undergo safety and structural assessments including repairs and renovations of their properties,” the mayor said.

He also ordered the OBO to impose strict evaluation of requirements and on-site assessment on all infrastructure project applications to avoid a repetition of the damage wrought by the earthquake at the hotel.

The Eva’s Hotel, an iconic building in this city worth some PHP750 million, was among several huge structures damaged by the magnitude 6.5 quake that jolted the province on October 31, 2019. (PNA)