Butuan city: The Department of Labor and Employment office in Caraga Region (DOLE-13) initiated comprehensive inspections on Tuesday targeting the ongoing construction of high-rise buildings in Butuan City, focusing on adherence to labor-related laws.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE-13 Regional Director Jason Balais announced that 24 labor inspectors from various provinces within the region are participating in the weeklong inspection and assessment activities. The initiative aims to scrutinize approximately 47 high-rise buildings currently under construction, encompassing both private and government-owned projects.

Balais emphasized that the primary goal of this activity is to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards during the construction process. Additionally, the inspections will assess adherence to other labor-related regulations, including wages and overtime pay.

In instances where non-compliance is detected, especially if it endangers workers, the parties involved will be required to rectify the issues within a 72-hour timeframe. Balais further stated that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in summons, docketing of the non-compliance as a case, and issuance of a compliance order.

Currently, the inspection covers only the 47 identified sites in Butuan City, while validation for other sites across different provinces in the region is still ongoing.