2 dead, 11 hurt after portion of BGC building collapses

ACCIDENT. A portion of The Suite collapses. Photo by Josh Albelda/Rappler

Based on initial reports, part of the building collapsed while concrete was being poured on the upper floors, say authorities

MANILA, Philippines  – Two people were killed and 11 others were injured after a portion of a building under construction in Taguig City collapsed on Wednesday, February 4, reports said.

Taguig City fire marshal chief Inspector Juanito Maslang said that the two workers died after being crushed by debris from the collapsed portion of The Suite building, currently under construction at the corner of 5th Avenue and 28th Street at Bonifacio Global City.

The incident occurred around 8:20 am.

Maslang said that authorities from national agencies and the city government are now on site to check for possible safety lapses and violations.

The 63-residential tower is a project of Ayala Land Premier.

It will consist of 284 residential suites and is intended to be a mixed-use development, with space for local and multinational companies, according to its project profile.

Based on initial police reports, part of the building collapsed while concrete was being poured on the upper floors.

Police are currently conducting investigations at the construction site.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa blamed the Department of Labor and Employment and the Taguig City government for not ensuring incidents like this would be avoided.

"This workplace incident could have been minimized and prevented if they only performed their job particularly in conducting inspections regularly before and after issuing building and construction permits," Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of TUCP, said in a statement.

"Government officials must ensure that building owners and contractors are aware of the rules and protocols in the construction of high-rise buildings particularly the DOLE’s Department Order 13 requirement checklist before issuing any permit," he said.

The requirements include construction safety and health programs, personal protective equipment, safety personnel, emergency occupational safety and health personnel and facilities, construction safety signages, safety on construction heavy equipment, construction safety and health committee, safety and health information, construction safety and health training, construction safety and health reports, and workers’ welfare facilities, TUCP said. – Rappler.com