Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 18) — A construction worker died and three others were injured in the collapse of a concrete wall that was being demolished at the Quezon City Hall, local authorities confirmed Friday.
Officials said the incident happened at around 10:09 p.m. on Thursday at the Civic Center B Building construction site.According to the city’s engineering department, the victims were demolishing the concrete wall to make way for the construction of an elevator.Hindi siya nag-collapse by itself. ‘Yan ang gusto namin linawin. Hindi siya collapse, but rather dine-demolish talaga yung pader,” QC engineering department head Dale Perral said.
[Translation: It did not collapse by itself. That’s what we want to clarify. It didn’t collapse, but rather the wall is really being demolished.]
Authorities said the wall was to be taken down in a week and should be removed piece by piece to avoid a large section of hollow blocks collapsing.
The victims, who were all workers of MRB II Construction Corporation, were rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center.Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte instructed concerned city offices to extend financial aid to the family of the dead and provide medical assistance to the injured as she ordered an extensive investigation into the accident.Isa sa mga unang aalamin ang sistemang pinaiiral ng kontratista sa construction site, at kung binigyang-halaga ba ang aspeto ng occupational safety para sa kanilang manggagawa,” Belmonte said.
[Translation: One of the first things to find out is the system implemented by the contractor at the construction site, and whether the aspect of occupational safety for their workers has been given importance.]
The city’s top engineer emphasized that the incident is “a clear case of accident in a construction site” as he stated that authorities’ initially found that the project contractor lapsed in ensuring occupational safety and health standards.
Hindi pa natin masabi kung ano yung specific lapses pursuant to existing guidelines pero definitely yung occupational safety and health guidelines,” Perral said. “Kaya yan inenact ng DOLE (Labor Department) to avoid these kinds of accident and the fact that this accident occurred eh merong posibleng violation.[Translation: We cannot yet say what the specific lapses are pursuant to existing guidelines, but definitely the occupational safety and health guidelines. That’s why the DOLE enacted it to avoid these kinds of accident and the fact that this accident occurred means there is a possible violation.]Stopping the construction project is not advisable, according to Perral, as he said that it would further expose the site to hazards.The city’s top engineer said the investigation will continue to find out possible remedies the government could enforce.
The Quezon City Police District earlier said a joint investigation with the local government will look into possible violations of the building code.
Definitely may mananagot dito, be it criminal or civil alamin na lang natin sa lalabas sa imbestigasyon sa mga susunod na araw,” QCPD chief Nicolas Torre III said in a press briefing.
