ILOILO City — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas has launched a regionwide inspection of high-rise construction projects, warning that companies found exposing workers to unsafe conditions could face immediate work stoppage orders as authorities intensify efforts to prevent workplace tragedies.
DOLE regional director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said labor inspectors, together with representatives from several government agencies, began conducting inspections on Wednesday, June 10, focusing initially on five ongoing high-rise building projects across the region.
The inspections aim to ensure strict compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards, labor laws, and mandatory worker benefits, including contributions to the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
Rodriguez said the inspection teams are composed of personnel from DOLE, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, SSS, Office of the Building Official (OBO), and local government units (LGUs).
Authorities said companies found committing serious safety violations that pose imminent danger to workers could be ordered to halt operations immediately.
Apart from safety compliance, participating government agencies will also verify whether workers are properly registered and covered by mandatory social protection programs. Employers found violating registration requirements may be required to explain their non-compliance.
DOLE has scheduled the inspections in phases, with additional rounds planned until all ongoing construction projects in Western Visayas have been assessed.
Atty. Jorge S. Ferraris II, officer-in-charge of the Technical Support and Services Division (TSSD) of DOLE Region 6, said the inspections were ordered by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino under the High Impact High Visibility Inspection (HIHVI) program following the collapse of a building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga, which reportedly claimed the lives of 30 workers.
“This is the initiative of our Honorable Secretary in response sa recent events po natin especially sa construction sites. So, we partnered with our partnered agencies, national government agencies as SSS, Philhealth, pag-Ibig, DPWH, LGUs, and OBO para puntahan mga construction sites to ensure that the workers in this industry are protected especially sa occupational safety and health na aspect,” explained Ferraris.
Ferraris clarified that renovation and rehabilitation projects are also covered by the inspections as long as workers are present at the site.
“Well, if there are workers on the site dala sina sa aton inspection kay ti ang aton gina-ensure ang safety sang aton workers, rehab or ongoing construction as long as may workers sa site, we will be inspecting,” said Ferraris.
He added that completed buildings and existing structures remain subject to DOLE’s regular labor inspections to ensure continued compliance with occupational safety regulations.
However, Ferraris emphasized that the structural integrity of buildings falls under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.
The intensified inspections come as government agencies seek to prevent accidents and strengthen worker protection in one of the country’s most hazardous industries./PN
