1 dead, 4 hurt in Skyway project mishap

MANILA, Philippines — A steel girder from San Miguel Corp. (SMC)’s Skyway Extension project fell along the East Service Road in Muntinlupa City yesterday morning, leaving at least one person dead and four others injured.

EEI Corp., the project contractor, said a crane that was being positioned for its next task tilted and fell on the girder spanning the two posts of the northbound Skyway Extension project at around 8:50 a.m.

EEI said the girder fell on vehicles below. Police said a taxi, a light truck, a sport utility vehicle and four motorcycles were damaged.

Paquibot Visaga, who was riding a motorcycle, was declared dead on arrival at the Alabang Medical Clinic, according to a report from the Southern Police District.

“We are monitoring the progress of the injured and are trying to get in touch with their next of kin for proper coordination and to extend any assistance they may need. Our hearts and prayers go with the affected families. This is an unfortunate and heartbreaking accident that must not happen again,” EEI said in a statement.

The company said it would review immediately its safety and operating protocols as it builds a strategic infrastructure for the public’s convenience.

EEI will attend to and take care of all the needs of those who were affected, SMC said.

“We deeply regret this unfortunate accident and assure a full and thorough investigation. Our thoughts and concern are with the victims and we will make sure they will get all the help they need. Their welfare is our priority,” SMC said.

With the incident, the completion of the Skyway Extension project will be moved from next month to February next year, according to SMC.

The Skyway Extension project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic as work had to stop when the lockdown was implemented in March.

The P10-billion project will extend the Skyway from Susana Heights on South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Sucat and back and provide direct access to the elevated section of the Skyway.

It will connect the SLEX and the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway to the Skyway at Susana Heights, bypassing Alabang to make travel from south to north via the Skyway system seamless and much shorter. – Emmanuel Tupas