After crane collapse, Mall construction stopped

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 has ordered the contractor to stop the operation of four cranes that were used by a construction firm in an ongoing mall construction in Cebu City after a part of one crane collapsed and injured a woman Wednesday night.

Because of the incident, Cebu City's Office of the Building Official also suspended work on the mall until contractor Metro Dyna-Build Inc. can explain the incident and address the concern on the condition of its equipment.

City Engineer Josefa Ylanan said that after the contractor secured a building permit last year and started construction, there were no reports or complaints from nearby residents about ground movement.

Following the incident, however, an architect residing in the area approached her yesterday and informed her about complaints of the residents against the ongoing construction, including “substandard” equipment.

Ylanan said residents were actually also concerned about the ground movement.

“They have to explain kay part sa ilang responsibility. As of now, they are preparing for the foundation for the basement nga parking daw,” she said.

Nenita Navasca, 32, of Barangay Pahina Central was brought to the nearby Cebu City Medical Center after she suffered bruises to the knees and legs when the hook and a portion of a tower crane fell and damaged her bedroom and three other houses.

The crane was used in the construction of a two-story mall along Natalio Bacalso Avenue. Navasca’s house was located at the back of the construction site.

“Naglingkod ra kos akong higdaanan. Dili na man kaayo mi mahibong nga naay ground movements kay every kadlawon gyud na mura’g naay linog. But katong pagkahitaboa, grabe ang impact kay pwerteng gubaa sa among balay,” Navasca told THE FREEMAN.

After learning of the incident, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the project should be “cancelled” if there are violations found against the contractor.

In a press conference, he said the city would help in Navasca’s medical needs.

In a separate interview, DOLE-7 Legal Officer Roy Buenafe said: “Normally inig abot sa 80 degrees automatic na siya nga mohunong ang boom sa crane. Pero pag-abot pa lang sa 70 degrees nikalit og kapalos mao nipaling sa luyo unya natangtang ang boom og nahagsa sa usa ka panimalay.”

Buenafe said no worker was hurt during the incident.

He said based on their investigation, the construction firm does not have a construction safety officer and lacks a safety program. But he said they saw no problems in terms of personal protective equipment.

DOLE-7 has already scheduled a mandatory conference with representatives of Metro Dyna-Build Inc. after ordering it to submit the safety certificates of their crawler and tower cranes and of all their heavy equipment used in the construction like the dumptrucks and bulldozer, among others.

Meanwhile, MDB Inc. assistant engineer Joseph Toreja said the incident was just an “accident.”

“Wala man siyay (crane) load. Walay gi-lift. Actually preparation para lifting sa demobilization namin,” he said, adding that the contractor is just renting the equipment to a certain company.

Toreja rejected the claim by a few residents that the crane was already broken as early as weeks back.

“May operator. Nagulat siya kung bakit pumuntang patalikod. Ang position sa crane is pa-boom down na kasi puputulin yung karga pauwi. Mag-close na sana. Pagtikwas patalikod, sumagi sa retaining wall. Nasangit and ang impact is sa harap maong natumba,” he told reporters who visited the site yesterday.

City Councilor Jerry Guardo inspected the area yesterday and said he would talk to OBO officials about the incident.

He urged all developers and contractors to check the conditions of their equipment especially those who are using second-hand or rented equipment.

“Naay kalapasan kay naay injury. Dapat i-ensure ang safety sa pag-construct kay it is part of their responsibility,” Guardo said.

Owners of the houses that were damaged have demanded for the contractor to compensate them.

Navasca asked for P23,000 for the damage to her bedroom and the things inside the room, while Segundina Cavan, owner of the lot where the houses are,  asked for P120,000 for the damage to their house and their home appliances, among others. Cavan threatened to file a complaint if no compensation is extended.

Celeste, a member of Cavan’s family, on the other hand, asked for P67,121 the damages of their appliances, among others.

Rechie Narvasa, whose house was also damaged, asked for P17,471 for the damage to his room and appliances, while a certain Ursolina Gerolaga also asked for P54,500 for the damage to her house and her home appliances. — Mitch