The Tabasco College and Institute of Civil Engineers warned that Infonavit is allegedly constructing “Welfare Housing” projects in Tabasco irregularly, without the required Directors Responsible for Construction (DROs).
In a news report, Andoni Antonio Torres, president of the association of specialists, explained that the role of the DRO is essential, as they bear all technical and even criminal responsibility if safety guidelines are not followed during construction and upon completion.
He revealed that Infonavit has already begun at least 11 developments with thousands of homes in the state, and none of them have a local specialist to guide the developers who come from other states.
“The Director Responsible for Construction (DRO) is used and needed in all buildings in the state of Tabasco. This is mandated by the Law on Human Settlements, Territorial Planning, and Urban Development. They are responsible for everything that happens on the construction site in terms of technical aspects and safety. No DRO is working on a ‘Housing for Well-being’ project. There are 11 developments in Huimanguillo, Centro, Cunduacán, Comalcalco, and Macuspana. – So there, without building permits, the mayors are facilitating everything. Are they breaking the law? – They are doing things they shouldn’t, but yes, that’s how it is. We want things done properly. For example, the Centro City Council is very organized regarding building permits; the project must be submitted, validated by an architect, an electrician, and a structural engineer, and that hasn’t been done.”
The president of the Tabasco Institute of Civil Engineers questioned why Infonavit is allowed to break the law to build housing, while private developers are required to have a DRO (Responsible Construction Officer), who is also the guarantor of building permits.
He pointed out that even the Olmeca Refinery and the boardwalks of Villahermosa and Gaviotas had a DRO for their construction.
“—And when does the DRO (Responsible Professional in Construction) have to get involved?—From the start of construction. However, the contract that the real estate developers have with INFONAVIT (National Workers’ Housing Fund Institute) also states that they must validate the project from the outset, because the DRO is familiar with the state regulations. And they bring in people from other states.—It’s being done in violation of the law.—You could say that, or I would say it’s paused. They’re going to try to regularize it.—But since these are INFONAVIT’s “Houses of Well-being” projects, and they’re a government entity, aren’t they held to the same standards as everyone else?—Yes, of course. Because developers of other types of projects can’t lay a single stone without a permit. Here in Centro, there are several ‘closed’ signs because some people skip a step or try to start construction early or make some modification, and that’s not allowed.”
Andoni Antonio Torres believes that the problem for Infonavit, and the “reason” for not hiring a DRO (Responsible Construction Officer) for its projects, is that it would increase construction costs. However, this is a procedure that those wishing to build in the state cannot bypass.
“Is it a bureaucratic process? Probably yes, because a project review has to be done well in advance. For example, the structural engineer and the DRO (Responsible Construction Officer) have to check that the foundation meets the requirements, that the slabs meet the requirements, and if they don’t match the calculations, you send it for correction, and that can take some time. But that’s also done in advance. They say they don’t have the time, but every developer knows they have to complete their paperwork beforehand. Is it a matter of money? I think so. Yes, because they cut all the projects with the same scissors nationwide. A Casita del Bienestar (Little House of Well-being) costs the same here in Tabasco as it does in Monterrey or Playa del Carmen. Is hiring a DRO expensive? No, it’s a minimal percentage; 1% of the direct cost of the construction. The DRO has a very big responsibility. So, for supervising a house, imagine if they paid you, I don’t know, 3,000 pesos. Very little. The issue here is the volume of work they They bring. If I pay you 3,000 pesos for two thousand houses or for six thousand houses, then that’s where it hurts the wallet.”
In the end, the specialist revealed that they had already held talks with Infonavit authorities to regularize their situation, but they still haven’t received a response, something he considered problematic, since it’s unknown whether the houses being built comply with regulations regarding foundations, slabs, seismic events, humidity, and other aspects specific to Tabasco.
Source: xevt
