Three days following its issuance, the work stoppage order (WSO) handed down by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) against the contractor of the Skyway Extension project may soon be lifted.
In an interview with PTV on Thursday, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said he has already received the recommendation from DOLE-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) Director Sarah S. Mirasol to lift the WSO of EEI Corp.
This after EEI managed to address the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) violations, particularly the supposed lack of warning signs on the construction site, as well as the alleged non-certification of subcontractors from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
“I’m inclined to follow the recommendation of our regional director,” Bello said.
As of this writing on Thursday, DOLE has yet to release an order for the lifting of the WSO.
Last Monday, DOLE-NCR issued a WSO against EEI Corp. after its crane tilted and hit a steel girder causing it to fall and hit several passing vehicles along East Service Road in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City during the weekend.
The incident killed one and injured six others.
The WSO initially covered the entire Skyway Extension Project, Sucat Alabang Viaduct, but was later restricted to the site of the accident.
Bello explained they opted ease the scope of the WSO since the Sky Extension is part of the priority infrastructure project of the government.
He also noted that the large-scale WSO would have affected the employment of 900 workers of EEI.
Image credits: Bernard Testa