Construction worker dies

CEBU, Philippines - A construction worker died on the spot after a beam hanging from a tower crane fell on his head while working at a high-rise condominium being built in barangay Canduman, Mandaue City at around 10 a.m. yesterday morning. Another worker was wounded and sustained fractured bones on his chest.

Bernardo Bilbao, 40, a resident of barangay Apas, Cebu City, died at around 10 a.m. while on the twelfth floor of the Eagles Nest Condominium.

Another worker George Japilan, 43, a beam fabricator and resident of barangay Pitogo, Consolacion, was also injured and taken to the St. Vincent Hospital in Cebu City.

Investigative and Detective Management Bureau investigator SPO2 Marcos Noval Jr, said the beam fell after a cable of the crane which held it snapped.

The beam had just lifted a precast panel when it fell 10 feet from the air.

“Bug-at ra sad siguro to kaayo ang pre-cast panel busa mi-give way ang cable. Mas  kuyaw pa dyud gani to didto mitugpa sa Sacred Heart School kay daghan estudyante mapagan. Tapad ra man gud ni sa condominim nga gi-construct,” Noval said.

The 16-story condominium is a project of Primary Homes Inc., a real estate developer based in Cebu City.

Jonji Gonzales, a consultant of Primary Homes, in a text message, said the contractor, Primary Structures Corp., will shoulder the burial expenses of the victim as well as the medical expenses of the wounded worker.

Noval said Fortunato Pagatpat Jr., the crane operator and a resident of barangay Apas, Cebu City, was taken into police custody and possibly will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and physical injuries.

Bilbao’s wife has expressed no intention to file a case.  (FREEMAN)