Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Monday said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is conducting two separate investigations into the deadly building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga.The death toll in the tragedy has risen to 13 and at least 9 others are still feared trapped beneath the rubble.Tolentino said one investigation focuses on possible violations committed by the construction company, Golden Years Construction, while another examines why a work stoppage order previously issued by DOLE Region 3 was later lifted.“Unang investigation, yung investigation sa Golden Years. That is being done, not just by DOLE but other agencies of the government. Andiyan siguro ang PNP, andiyan ang criminal liabilities nila,” he said.“Yung pangalawang investigation, yung investigation internally doon sa Regional Director. So yun yung hawak ko ngayon, yun yung binigyan natin ng taning na matapos on or before June 12.”Tolentino said the internal probe seeks to determine why the work stoppage order was lifted despite the significant number of alleged violations cited against the construction firm, and whether Labor Code provisions governing the lifting of such an order were properly followed.“There were 11 or 13 reasons of why it was stopped. So, diumano na-comply daw kaya ni-lift,” he said. “But sang-ayon sa batas, under Section 128 ng Labor Code, before you lift kailangan may hearing. Yan ang inaalam namin kung nagkaroon ng hearing.”The labor chief said several safety violations already appeared evident based on initial findings, including workers allegedly sleeping, drinking, and possibly bringing family members into the construction site. He stressed that contractors are required to enforce occupational safety standards through designated safety officers.“They have to have safety officers, inside the premises,” he said. “Yung safety officer directly under the employer, yung contractor, may fault talaga yung contractor, hinayaan niya yon,” Tolentino added.Tolentino also disclosed that during his visit to the site, he noticed female clothing among the belongings in the area, raising concerns that non-workers may have been staying inside the construction premises. Rescuers earlier recovered what appeared to be a father and son from the rubble.“Yes, naconfirm yung isang ano, yung isang, nakakapanghinayang at pinagdududahan namin dati na merong dalang pamilya sa loob.”He added that DOLE would extend assistance to victims’ families through the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) and other aid programs.The secretary also acknowledged severe manpower shortages among labor inspectors, particularly in Central Luzon.“Yung labor inspectors kulang talaga kami. Sa Region 3 alone, 7,000 yung iinspect, 38 lang yung aming inspectors.”Tolentino said he plans to hire at least 200 additional inspectors and coordinate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA for additional manpower.The labor chief also announced plans to revive and expand the DOLE complaints hotline to strengthen enforcement of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards.“Ire-revive natin, palalakasin ko yung hotline dito. Medyo, no offense to anyone medyo kulang,” Tolentino said. “Dapat talaga 24/7 yan eh. So we’ll implement some changes in the hotline, complaints procedure, nang sa ganon, open.”Tolentino said the Angeles City tragedy serves as an eye-opener on the possible extent of OSH violations in workplaces across the country.He cited a recent action by DOLE Region 7 in Cebu, which issued work stoppage orders against telecom companies following incidents involving cable installers.“So walang safety, tamang safety belts etc etc. Pinahinto muna yung kanilang ginagawa. So dito namin pipilitin na mas maaga, mapatupad yung batas nang tama at mapigilan din yung mga ganitong insidente.”According to DOLE Region 7 Director Roy Buenafe, eight deaths have already been recorded in 2025 due to dangling wires and the lack of proper safety harnesses and equipment for cable installers.“Yung mga tatlo na na-issuehan natin ng stoppage order ay ipapatawag natin for conference and we will let them submit the compliances that the law requires at saka titignan natin yung kanilang practices,” Buenafe said.

Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino says the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is conducting two separate investigations into the deadly building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino says the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is conducting two separate investigations into the deadly building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga.

DOLE focused on occupational health, safety compliance after Angeles building collapse

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DOLE focused on occupational health, safety compliance after Angeles building collapse

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 01, 2026 05:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Francis Tolentino

DOLE

minimum wage

workers

labor groups

labor leaders

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