DOLE-7 stops church restoration project

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 yesterday issued a work stoppage order against Vineyard Construction over the recent incident that injured two of its construction workers, who were working on the renovation of the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish Church along Escario Street, Cebu City.

DOLE-7 acting director Exequiel Sarcauga said he issued the order yesterday morning after their Labor Laws Compliance Officer conducted an inspection in the area.

Jungie Cañete from Negros Oriental and Mark Gil Herodea from Aloguinsan town were injured after they fell from the ceiling of the church.

Sarcauga said that in a conference yesterday with the contractor’s representatives, the company was told that the work stoppage order will not be lifted until all the deficiencies will be corrected.

Luchel Taniza, DOLE-7 information officer, said the 14 deficiencies include the absence of a Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board license for sub contractors and trade contractors; the absence of structural design of tubular scaffold, safety officer and safety practitioners; and the firm having no construction safety program.

It was also found out that the contractor has no independent lifeline installation; no appropriate planking installed; no appropriate platform for skilled workers; no NC II certification from TESDA; no appropriate access ladder going to platform; and no appropriate locking gear.

DOLE-7 said the contractor failed to practice 100 percent tie-off on full body harness and poor housekeeping.

Taniza added that the representative of the contractor assured that they will initially correct some of the deficiencies by Monday. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/ATO (FREEMAN)