DOLE orders closure of QC mall septic tank

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered the closure of Ali Mall’s septic tank following the death of four workers cleaning the tank last week.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she issued the closure order after mall officials prevented labor inspectors from checking whether the mall and the subcontractor complied with health and safety standards.

“The DOLE cannot close its eyes to the fact that four workers died while allegedly working inside a confined space. The management of Ali Mall should have allowed the DOLE inspectors to inspect the firm’s premises,” Baldoz said.

Ali Mall spokesperson Cecile Marvilla said the management “has already communicated” with DOLE and other investigating agencies, “expressing its intention to fully cooperate in the investigation of the recent unfortunate incident… that involved an independent service provider.”

Baldoz also instructed the DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) office to closely work with the Philippine National Police in the ongoing investigation into the death of four workers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), a DOLE-attached agency, said the mall management can be held liable for the death of the four workers if the investigation reveals that they violated occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations.

OSHC executive director Ma. Teresita Cucueco said OSH standards mandate that a confined space must be checked visually to ensure that the water level is safe before workers could be allowed to work in the area.

“No worker is allowed entry to confined workplaces unless there is a watcher familiar with the job, appropriate types of breathing apparatus must be available and there should be appropriate warning signs and other safety measures,” she added.

The DOLE-NCR office said RCBC Sanitary Services, the company that employed the four workers, may not be a licensed plumbing subcontractor since it does not appear in the DOLE’s registry of subcontractors.

Based on DOLE’s initial investigation, RCBC’s business address is a residential building.

“We will determine the extent of RCBC’s liability,” the DOLE-NCR said.