MANILA - Several buildings around an excavation site at the University of the Philippines (UP), College of Medicine in Manila are in danger of being damaged after the construction's foundation allegedly weakened and sank.

"The construction necessitated a closure of the continuous water source. This closure caused water to shift to the periphery and to soften the ground, thus causing the sinking. Power had to be cut in the surrounding areas to avoid fire," according to a report by the UP Medics, the official student publication of the UP College of Medicine.

The site is where the proposed seven-story building of the UP College of Medicine Academic Center will rise. The new Academic Center will have two auditoria that can accommodate 200 students each, 37 rooms in various sizes, and a special events hall on the seventh floor, according to the website of the UP College of Medicine.

The report added that two buildings near the construction site—the UP Medicine Library and the University Library—were declared permanently closed.

Other buildings affected were the MSU Building and areas designated as "tambayan" or organization quarters of the UP Medical Students' Society, Phi Fraternity and Sorority, and Mu Fraternity and Sorority.

"Alvior Hall is currently being monitored for damage, while Calderon Hall is now limited to office use only," the report added.

The Campus Planning Development and Maintenance Office (CPDMO) was reportedly prompted to declare a 12-meter danger zone around the excavation edge.

The entire area has been off-limits to vehicles and pedestrians alike since December 12.