Duterte orders probe of budget hotel collapse

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has ordered a thorough investigation of the collapse of a budget hotel in Manila last Monday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday that the President directed concerned agencies to coordinate with the city government, particularly the city engineering office, for the probe.

“We are shocked and saddened by the collapse of a portion of Sogo Hotel in Malate, Manila, which left two workers dead,” Panelo said.

He also lauded Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for being among the first responders on site.

Moreno yesterday ordered city engineer Armando Andres to conduct a thorough investigation on the cause of the collapse and gave him three days to submit a report.

Deparment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Secretary Benjo Benavidez, meanwhile, said yesterday the hotel’s owner and contractor face possible administrative penalties for violating labor regulations.

While he has yet to fully read the report submitted by the DOLE’s National Capital Region (NCR) office, “definitely a fine (of P100,000) will be imposed because two workers have died as a result of the violations.”

DOLE-NCR director Sarah  Mirasol said she sent a team to the site to conduct an assessment immediately after the accident on Monday morning.

Mirasol said DOLE will look into whether the management and contractors complied with the occupational safety and health regulations during the demolition of the six-story hotel.

Also yesterday, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) stressed the need for DOLE and local government units (LGUs) to conduct surprise visits and onsite inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards.

TUCP said the hotel’s collapse showed blatant violations of construction safety regulations.

From January to September, TUCP said 11 construction workers were killed and several others were injured in different construction and demolition accidents. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Jose Rodel Clapano