DOLE investigating cause of Subic shipyard tragedy

Labor officials are now investigating possible safety standard violations in the accident that killed at least five workers at a ship repair facility in Subic in Zambales Friday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Saturday there will be no stone to be left unturned in the probe, which is being done through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “We will determine through the DOLE what happened at Subic, and see if any safety standards were violated," he said on government-run dzRB radio. He hinted at stricter policies in dealing with foreign investors, if the findings point to liability on their part.
When asked if the government may be stricter in dealing with foreign investors if there was found to be negligence in Friday’s tragedy, he said, “We totally agree with that (because) there are existing safety standards." But he also pointed out foreign locator Keppel had expressed willingness to shoulder the hospitalization and medical assistance expenses resulting from the incident. On Friday, at least five people were reported killed while eight were injured after a 42-ton ramp collapsed on workers at the ship repair facility of Keppel. Subic Mayor Jay Khonghun noted the ship repair facility of locator Keppel Group is under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. — LBG, GMA News