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The labor department has ordered a stop to all construction activities on the Skyway Extension Project following the weekend accident that killed a motorist and injured at least six others
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Project contractors and subcontractors also ordered to attend a hearing on November 24 to determine whether to lift the work stoppage or not
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Project concessionaire San Miguel Corp. (SMC) earlier said completion of the Skyway Extension Project will be pushed back by two months to February 2021
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SMC president Ramon Ang has apologized to the victims and their families and assured that all help will be provided
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered a work stoppage on the construction of the Skyway Extension Project pending an occupational and health standards investigation following the accident over the weekend that killed a motorist and injured at least six others.
DOLE-National Capital Region regional director Sarah Buena Mirasol, in an order dated November 23, told Jose Ilagan, project manager of EEI Corporation, to “stop the construction activity immediately in the affected areas of the construction site.”
EEI is the project contractor of the Skyway Extension project.
In a supplemental work stoppage order later on the same day, Mirasol expanded the work stoppage order to the entire Skyway Extension Project “in view of the gravity of the presumptive negligence of the contractors.”
Mirasol also directed the project contractors and subcontractors to attend a hearing on November 24 “to determine the propriety of having this Work Stoppage Order lifted or not.”
Prior to the work stoppage order, project proponent San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has already said completion of the Skyway Extension Project will be pushed back by two months to February 2021.
Initial assessment showed that on November 21, a crane of project contractor EEI fell as it was moving to its next position, hitting a steel girder and causing it to fall.
At least six vehicles were reported to have been involved in the accident, causing death to one person and injuries to at least six others.
SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang has earlier apologized to the victims and their families.
“Even with a contractor handling construction, ultimately, we are responsible for the welfare of those who were affected. I would like to personally apologize to the victims and their families, as well as to our larger community in Muntinlupa,” Ang said in a statement.
He also offered the family of the person who died “my sincerest and deepest condolences and my personal assurance that your family will be taken care of.”
“To those who were injured, please be assured we will provide all the means necessary for you to recover and restart,” he added.
Ang said they are working with authorities to determine the root cause of the incident. “We will find out where lapses occurred and do whatever is necessary to help make sure they don’t happen again.”
The P10-billion Skyway Extension Project will extend the Skyway from Susana Heights on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Sucat in Parañaque and back, and will provide direct access to the elevated section of the Skyway.
It will connect SLEX and Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway to the Skyway at Susanna Heights, bypassing Alabang, to shorten travel from south to north via the Skyway System.
The project, started in late 2019, will also eliminate traffic buildup along SLEX heading to Alabang and the Alabang viaduct.
