Collapsed building owner, contractor fined over P11 million

MANILA, Philippines — The owner and the contractor of a building that collapsed in Angeles, Pampanga have been ordered to pay more than P11 million in labor deficiencies as well as occupational safety and health fines.

This developed after investigation showed that multiple violations were committed including continued construction despite a work stoppage order.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said that building owner Ernest Jackson Lim and the contractor, Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corp., are liable for labor and workplace safety violations linked to the collapse on May 24 of the nine-story building that was nearing completion in Barangay Balibago.

The accident left 30 people dead and injured several others.

Probers said that Lim and the contractor ignored the  work stoppage order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment due to hazardous working conditions.

Tolentino said that Lim and Golden Years Construction submitted fake and invalid safety documents.