Angeles city: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has upheld the PHP11.49 million liability of the contractor of the nine-story building that collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga in May. The decision underscores the gravity of unpaid workers' benefits and serious occupational safety and health (OSH) violations associated with the incident.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOLE announced in a news release on Saturday that it is upholding the liability of Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corp. and Ernest Jackson Lim. The liability includes PHP1.17 million in unpaid wages during the Work Stoppage Order (WSO), underpaid wages, unpaid rest day premium, and holiday pay, as well as PHP10.32 million in administrative fines for OSH violations. The resolution signed by Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on August 17 modifies the department's June 16 Order following a granted Motion for Reconsideration filed by John John Dogos Placidas, Michael Dogos Placidas, and Alfredo Aibis Balute.
The resolution found workers' claims meritorious, including their entitlement to rest day premium and unpaid wages during the WSO from October 16-24, 2025. This led to an increase in the monetary award for the affected workers. The respondents' claims of being denied due process were found untenable, as records indicated they were duly notified and given reasonable opportunities to explain their side and present supporting evidence.
A thorough review of records established several serious OSH violations, including a failure to provide personal protective equipment, secure required permits for mechanical lifting equipment, deploy required safety officers and first aiders, and provide temporary accommodation for workers. The violations were further aggravated by the submission of fake and invalid certificates for the project's designated first aider and safety officer.
The department noted that these circumstances demonstrated a pattern of persistent and willful non-compliance with OSH standards, exposing workers to serious injury or death despite prior enforcement action and ample notice of the deficiencies. Secretary Tolentino emphasized that compliance with OSH standards is a continuous legal obligation, and employers must maintain safe working conditions throughout their operations. The administrative fines were deemed fully justified, and the respondents were ordered to pay the monetary award and administrative fines within 10 days from receipt of the resolution.
