DOLE finds safety violations in Bulacan tragedy

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have found some violations of the private contractor of the warehouse in Bulacan where a wall collapsed killing 11 people and injuring several others Monday night.

 

In a radio interview, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that based on their investigation, there is no approved construction and health program for the construction site located along MacArthur Highway, Barangay Ilang-ilang, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

 

She said that DOLE has ordered the Hoclim Company Construction Corp. to present its compliance report, which is required before any building project starts.

 

The company is also required to get a permit from the local government unit prior the start of the construction, Baldoz added. 

 

She said that the DOLE probe also revealed that there was no assigned safety officer or safety engineer for the project. 

 

"Wala pong request sa amin 'yung kumpanya. Wala naman pong na-issue...walang notice na merong ganung construction project," Baldoz said. 

 

She said work at the site could not resume unless the company complies with the all the safety requirements.

 

Baldoz said that the firm has to provide assistance to the families of the victims aside from the liabilities it should settle with DOLE.

 

Earlier, the company promised to give P50,000 to the families of the victims of the tragedy.