STI to provide assistance to victims of Pasay crane accident

STI Education Services Group Inc. (STI) on Tuesday committed to provide assistance to the families of the victims of the accident involving a metal crane from its construction site in Pasay City crashing on a commercial building.

"We have extended our deepest sympathies to the affected families and have offered our support and assistance during this difficult time," STI vice president for communications Elbert de Guzman said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, two individuals were killed while six others were injured after a metal crane in the construction site of one STI's buildings crashed into a commercial building.

According to initial reports, the crane fell and hit the Core Town building as "pressure of its hydraulic cylinder went low."

"In the initial report, the tower crane operated by the contractor apparently collapsed that led to the accident.? ?Monocrete Construction Philippines is doing everything it can to investigate this incident and is assisting local authorities," De Guzman said.

"At this early stage of the investigation, it appears that the accident is limited to the operation of the tower crane and has not affected the integrity of the building," he added.

De Guzman also said the company is now looking deeper into the matter to ensure safety within the construction area.

"It has also begun safety investigations into the cause of the accident in order to see if there are any lapses or gaps they would need to address urgently, and will make the results public at the appropriate time," De Guzman said.

"We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident and have been in constant contact with the firms in charge of the construction - Monocrete Construction Philippines, Inc. and Constech Management Group, Inc., to offer our immediate assistance. In the initial report, the tower crane operated by the contractor apparently collapsed that led to the accident," he added. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News