Makabayan Bloc wants probe into ammonia leak at Navotas ice plant

Members of the Makabayan Bloc have filed a resolution seeking to investigate the ammonia leak incident at an ice plant in Navotas City earlier this month.

Through Resolution No. 1570, Representatives Arlene Brosas, Carlos Isagani Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, Ferdinand Gaite, France Castro and Sarah Elago wanted the Committee on Labor and Employment to look into the incident that claimed the lives of two individuals and hurt several others.

The lawmakers said the possible enforcement lapses of the Occupational Safety and Health law should be checked as well as the effects of the incident on nearby communities.

"It has yet to be established whether the said facility has been inspected by the Labor Department in line with the occupational safety and health standards under Republic Act 11058 and its implementing rules and regulations, and in line with the Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act and its IRR," the resolution stated.

It also indicated that there is a need to strengthen the government's labor inspections in all workplaces as well as the need to fortify sanctions stipulated in the OSH Law.

The T.P Marcelo Ice Plant and Cold Storage was owned by the relatives of Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco. The incident happened last February 3.

The two fatalities were employees of the ice plant.

Tiangco earlier said financial assistance to the victims should be extended by the firm and not by the local government unit. He also apologized for the incident. — BM, GMA News