Possible sanctions over safety violations and non-remittance of benefits loom against the owner and contractors of a condominium project in Makati City where at least 10 construction workers fell several stories to their deaths Thursday. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said her department is looking into reported labor and safety violations, even as she hinted at conducting inspections on other projects of the property firm involved in the tragedy. "Iisa-isahin ang kanilang magiging liability na yan. Titingnan din ang salary rate base sa skilled worker (We will start sifting through their possible liabilities. I will also look into whether these workers had been receiving the salaries and benefits due them under the law)," Baldoz said in an interview on dzXL radio. "We expect to uncover a lot in this investigation," she added.
At least 10 construction workers installing a glass panel at the 39-story condominium project of Eton Properties in Makati City
fell several stories to their deaths after the electric gondola lift carrying them malfunctioned around 11 a.m. Thursday. Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and the DOLE ordered the suspension of construction work at the condo project while an investigation is ongoing. Baldoz said she will ask the Eton Properties, its principal contractor and subcontractors to submit copies of their contracts "to determine the extent of their liabilities." On the other hand, Baldoz said she will look into reports that the workers could not get loans or benefits because their Social Security System contributions were not remitted.
Safety violations Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio cited initial reports reaching him that some safety measures were being violated in the Eton Properties condominium construction site. But he said they expect to verify these reports in a site inspection on Friday. "They should see to it the workers' safety comes first and foremost. There is supposed to be a safety engineer overseeing that," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He said Makati police investigators will join the DOLE in inspecting the site. For his part, city fire marshal Senior Superintendent Samuel Tadeo cited information reaching him that the electric gondola lift was overloaded. He said the information indicated the gondola could accommodate only some six people, but 11 were riding it at the time of the accident. Meanwhile, Eton Properties spokesperson Erwin de Pedro earlier said the company will
review its compliance with safety regulations, even as he condoled with the victims of the tragedy. “Due to the unfortunate incident, Eton is reviewing the compliance of its contractors and construction management consultant to these safety regulations," De Pedro said, adding that based on witness accounts, the workers rode the gondola instead of taking the stairs during their break time. “Our hearts go out to the victims’ families. Eton Properties would like to assure the public that the company is doing all it can to ensure that Eton and its contractor extend all necessary assistance to the victims," he added.
In an interview on dzBB radio, he said they are also verifying information that the workers did not have safety harnesses. Mayor Binay, meanwhile, said the information he received indicated a “big possibility" the gondola was overloaded. “Apparently it was lunch time, nagmamadali ang tao bumaba para kumain (Apparently it was lunch time. The workers were in a hurry to get down to eat)," Binay said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Culture of laxity Binay also voiced fears Thursday’s incident may have stemmed from a culture of laxity where the workers thought they could cut corners. He said it is possible the workers may have had similarly “overloaded" the gondola lift before in their hurry to get down. “Ang kutob ko, ginawa na nila ito (overloading) noong araw pa. Siguro naisip nila walang nangyayari kahit na ang maximum load apat, ginawa nila 11. Ang liabilities will be determined pending outcome of the investigation (My fear is that they may have overloaded the gondola before and thought nothing would happen this time. Anyway, the liabilities will be determined pending the outcome of the investigation)," he said.
Survivor's recovery chances good Meanwhile, Bonifacio said the chances of the survivor, Ruel Perez, appeared good. Perez was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati after the incident.
"Mukhang makaka-recover siya (It looks like he will recover)," he said when asked about Perez's chances of recovery.
— LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV 
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