DOLE partly lifts halt order on Skyway extension project after accident

This November 21, 2020, photo shows a tilted crane along the East Service road in Cupang, Muntinlupa City, after the steel girder fell onto passing vehicles leaving one person dead and four others injured. The steel girder, spanning the length of two electrical posts, was part of a skyway being built in the area. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday ordered the partial lifting on one of its work stoppage order on the Skyway extension project following an accident over the weekend, which left one motorist dead and six others injured.

In an order, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III lifted the supplemental work stoppage order issued by the DOLE-National Capital Region, which halted the construction activity on the entire Skyway extension project covering the Sucat Alabang viaduct.

According to the order, the Skyway extension project contractor EEI Corp. sent a letter to the DOLE, manifesting that the incident was an “isolated case” and that EEI was conducting a “full risk assessment and mitigation” to pinpoint the exact cause of the mishap.

“In this regard, this Office recognizes the utmost national importance underlying the said Skyway extension project,” DOLE’s order signed by Bello states. “Equally acknowledged is the fact that the suspension of said project in the unaffected area will cause prejudice to the employees assigned/deployed thereat whose livelihood heavily depends on the said project’s continued operations.”

DOLE, however, maintained that its first work stoppage order—which halted the construction activity on the affected area of the construction site—shall remain.

Initial reports said the DOLE-NCR order at first covered only the Muntinlupa portion of the project where the accident happened.

But later reports indicated that Bello had ordered EEI to halt all construction activities for the entire Skyway extension project.

Then a consequent report said that the DOLE chief had no knowledge of the stoppage order, adding that he was still awaiting the report of other concerned officials of the DOLE before issuing a directive.

One motorist died while six others were injured during Saturday’s unfortunate incident when a crane tipped over as it moved into position, and then hit a steel girder causing it to fall on six vehicles passing below.

KGA