Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 13) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should require contractors to provide liability insurance for accidental death or injury at the worksite, a lawmaker said on Thursday.
“Kung magkakaroon ng insurance dapat minimum of ₱1 million,” Senator Raffy Tulfo said during a hearing.
[Translation: If there would be insurance, it should be a minimum of ₱1 million.]
Sharing his experience as a broadcast journalist hosting public service programs, Tulfo said there was an instance when the contractor only provided ₱20,000. He said the amount was not enough to cover either hospital expenses or match the victim’s life.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the agency would study how it can incorporate liability insurance in its contracts.
“The insurance liability that would be answerable by the contractor should be there… The bigger the contract, the bigger should be the [liability insurance],” Bonoan added.
Tulfo also called for an end to subcontracting, saying it results in lower-quality infrastructure.
Bonoan said the DPWH would look into the policy. He added that any subcontractor that has to be engaged by the principal contractor has to be approved by the department.
