DPWH investigates possible lapses in Skyway extension project

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 Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is investigating possible lapses that led to the accident at the Skyway extension project, which left one motorist dead and six others injured.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said Wednesday that the agency is also looking into the liability of those behind the mishap.

“There is an ongoing investigation but definitely we are looking into who has the liability,” Villar said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

“Obviously the operator was wrong in his computation so that is why we are investigating now to see the extent and what are the reasons and who ultimately has liability over this incident,” the DPWH secretary added.

The accident at the Muntinlupa portion of the project last Saturday was caused by a crane that tipped over as it moved into position, which then hit a steel girder causing it to fall on six vehicles.

Villar said the DPWH wants to look at the protocols that were observed, or neglected, prior to the mishap.

“We have to really look at the protocols that were taken, and we want to know the ‘whys.’ Why did it happen? Why was he (operator) allowed to move it (crane) at that? At this point we are at that stage, we are really looking at what were the procedures that he was undertaking and why was he allowed to move, why was he repositioning the crane,” he explained.

“These are the things that in the next few days we will see more findings. Ongoing na rin po ang investigation (Investigation is ongoing) and in the next few days we will see more findings,” the DPWH chief added.

Villar also pointed out that the accident raises issues on workplace safety, which concerns the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“It’s really a government effort— us, with the DOLE, and we will be working also with our concessionaire, San Miguel [Corp.] and the contractor, EEI [Corp.], to see how, one, how we can avoid this in the future, but also to ascertain what were the procedures, what were the lapses and who is responsible for these lapses,” he added.

JPV