Former senator and now newly-appointed Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Tuesday vowed to take immediate action and investigate the fatal collapse of a nine-storey under-construction building in Angeles City, where at least four workers have died, and 17 others remain trapped or missing.
“Ngayon po, nakatutok naman po ako ngayon doon sa nangyari sa Angeles,” Tolentino said in an interview with DZRH News’ Damdaming Bayan, referring to his immediate focus on the incident during his first day in office as labor chief.
Tolentino raised serious occupational safety concerns at the construction site, including what he described as the illegal placement of workers’ barracks inside the building under construction.
He also revealed that the site had previously been issued a work stoppage order by DOLE Region 3, which was later lifted before the collapse occurred.
“Nabigyan pala ‘yan ng permit at binigyan po ‘yan ng work stoppage sa Region 3 DOLE pero na-lift,” he added, noting that the reversal of the order is now part of the ongoing investigation.
He said some workers were housed in a separate barracks located about five meters away from the structure and were safe, while others who were allegedly staying inside an improvised barracks within the building were among those trapped.
“Bawal po talagang gumawa ng barracks sa loob ng gusaling ginagawa… ‘yan po yung batas,” he said, citing violations of occupational safety regulations under DOLE.
Tolentino further disclosed other alleged violations at the site, including the construction of a swimming pool on the 10th floor without proper permits.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the building collapsed between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, while 47 workers were inside.
As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, authorities confirmed that at least four people had died.
Seventeen individuals remained trapped or missing, while 26 workers had been rescued alive, based on figures from the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the BFP.
Authorities are continuing search, rescue, and retrieval operations as investigators examine possible violations of building and occupational safety standards that may have contributed to the collapse.
Tolentino said the DOLE is now reviewing why the earlier work stoppage order was lifted and whether proper safety protocols were enforced prior to the incident.
