NEWS RELEASE January 20, 2015 DOLE issues work stoppage at construction mishap in Guiguinto, Bulacan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 3, today, issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) to Number One Golden Dragon Realty Corporation (NOGDRC) and Hoclim Co Construction Corporation (HCCC). The CDO was issued to both firms after a wall collapsed, yesterday, killing 12 people and injuring 3 others, at their construction site at Brgy. Ilang-Ilang, Guiguinto, Bulacan, DOLE regional director Atty. Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, that an Inspection Team was immediately dispatched to conduct an Accident Investigation. The Team is comprised of Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs) Engr. Angelito Longos Jr. and Engr. Ritche Templanza, and Labor and Employment Officers Restituto Espino, Jomel Yabut, and Eloiza Muli. With Inspection Authority No. 2015-OSHI-002, the Team was tasked to conduct an Occupational Safety and Health Assessment pertinent to the reported incident. Based on ocular inspection at the accident site of an on-going warehouse construction, with floor area of approximately 1,200 sq. meters, the right side wall—approximately 7 meters high and 20 meters wide--collapsed right above the barracks of the workers. The incident occurred at 12:00 noon-break according to witness Restituto Bernabe, a worker at HCCC and relative of the foreman and two victims. According to Engr. Longos, it took a while to retrieve the victims--3:30PM to 11:45PM--because the construction firms had no response team to take immediate action during the incident. “There were no presence of supervising personnel such as engineers, safety officers, and the likes, in charge of the construction works and/or representative from the principal at the accident area,” Longos said. Longos also noted that witnesses at the accident site had to depend on incoming rescuers from local government since they have no equipment and tools to use in lifting the collapsed structures to help the victims. The Team’s initial assessment sited the following observations which probably caused the accident: 1. Incomplete concrete pouring in the foot-tie beam and the likes to strengthen the structures. 2. Insufficient reinforcement bars and stirrups installed were observed at the column, beam, and wall structure. 3. Type of concrete mixture for the columns and beams do not meet as per specification. This was observed at the time during the removal of debris to retrieve remains of victims. 4. Backfilling was not properly observed and/or conducted to stabilize the movement of the concrete wall structure. 5. Proper evaluation of the soil-bearing capacity was not validated through test. 6. Others contributing factors to the accident; a. No proper engineering and safety supervision to validate and implement the correct engineering standards and work procedures for the nature of work. b. The volume of rain occurred contributes additional load pressure to the lower portion of the concrete wall structure. Early this morning, Director Dione personally coordinated with Municipal Engineer Arcadio Leover Sulit for a joint-undertaking between the DOLE and Local Government of Guiguinto to further investigate the incident and assist the victims. As of press time, representatives from NOGDRC and HCCC have not yet coordinated nor appeared to the DOLE to address the issues concerning the incident. Dione, however, was firm to say that both firms shall be held “Jointly and Solidarily” liable for all violations related to the safety and social welfare of the workers and affected civilians resulting to death and injury as amended in the Labor Code of the Philippines and Occupational Safety and Health Standards. “We have issued this CDO effective today until further notice to both companies because we are serious when it comes to the safety and welfare of our workers. Safety should be practiced at the workplace at all times,” Dione said adding: “At the time of this painful tragedy, our hearts and thoughts go out to the workers who perished. We will be continuously coordinating with their families and see what kind of interventions we can provide to ease their burden.” The Principal (NOGDRC) and Subcontractor (NCCC) must comply and submit the following requirements: 1. Employer’s Accident-Illness Report; 2. Accident/Incident Report, with attached photo; 3. Police Report; 4. Medical Abstract; 5. Employment Record/Contract; 6. Corrective Work Methodology/Procedure; 7. Employee’s Profile; 8. Employee’s Safety Orientation (HSE Education Report); 9. Submit proof of document with acknowledgement receipt of Extended Benefits/ Financial Assistance given to victim’s family. 10. Submit proof of payment for acknowledgement receipt of Social/ Welfare Benefits. 11. Submit proof of document for salary payment, remittance for SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig. 12. Corrective actions/ programs for such activity. 13. Equipment Testing of all Cherry Pickers and Gondolas used in the operation;. 14. Submit Construction Safety and Health Program; 15. Profiles of the Engineers and supervisors in charge of the project construction. The CDO also orders both firms to attend a conference hearing with DOLE Technical Support and Service Division for Labor Relations and Labor Standards head Ma. Rima Hernandez on January 23, 2015 at 10:00AM at DOLE regional office to address the issues and concerns pertaining to the incident. END/Jerry Borja with reporting from Engr. Angelito Longos
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 10:34:42 +0000
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