Dole lifts stop work order vs supermarket, project

Construction suspension issued against hospital in Mandaue City stays

The labor department has lifted work suspension orders on the construction of a supermarket in Lapu-Lapu City and another project at the Cebu Business Park.

Regional Dole  Director Exequiel Sarcauga said they allowed the SM Hypermarket at the Mactan Economic Zone 2 in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City and FLB Corporate Center in Cebu Business Park, Cebu City to continue construction work in their sites after they complied with the labor department’s requirements.

The work stoppage order on the construction of the Chong Hua Hospital along the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City stays.

“For Chong Hua Hospital, we have not lifted the order yet, but officials of the hospital already visited us at the office to give their commitment to comply with the requirements,” Sarcauga said.

Work in the three construction sites were ordered stopped last January due to violations of labor, health and safety regulations in their workplaces.

The labor department in its assessment of the work sites found out that the contractors and subcontractors did not comply with general labor standards and occupational health and safety rules and regulations which resulted in the work suspension order.

The violations include the lack of an approved structural analysis and design of a “monkey ladder” used as scaffolding for elevated exterior works; workers lack of  appropriate personal protective equipment; the lack of certificate of training of scaffolders; the absence of a construction safety and health program; and failure to submit administrative reports.

The labor department also found out that there were no safety and  first-aid officers.

Sarcauga said they have to be vigilant with the many construction activities in the region to ensure the workers’ safety.

“The goal is to really not have any accidents in all projects in the region. This is also the priority of our Secretary (Baldoz). We have fielded all our 26 labor law compliance officers, about 20 of them are in Cebu,” he said.

They are also closely coordinating with the Cebu Contractors Association whose president Peter Paul Dy Jr. also sits as vice chairman for the management sector of the Industry Tripartite Council for Construction that they have created specifically for the industry.

“There is a need to really ensure that all the contractors follow standards. The Cebu Contractors Association has been very cooperative and has encouraged their members to uphold the standards. The industry is set to benefit and the  result is the vibrant economy of the region, including Cebu,” said Sarcauga.