DOLE stops demolition of old Burnham Hotel

After killing of construction worker 

BAGUO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment has stopped the demolition of the old Burnham Hotel here.

Henry John Jalbuena, DOLE Cordillera Administrative Region director, Wednesday said he issued a work stoppage order following the death of a construction worker when a wall of the hotel collapsed.

Jalbuena said the city building and architects office issued a demolition permit without a DOLE-approved construction safety and health program.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said a team of DOLE inspectors found out that the worksite endangered the life of workers.

 Baldoz gave assurance the DOLE would provide the necessary assistance to the affected workers, adding those responsible for the incident would be held liable.

This, as Mayor Mauricio Domogan directed the city buildings and architecture office (CBAO) last week to intensify monitoring of demolition jobs in the city to avoid a repeat of the Burnham Hotel incident which killed a construction worker and injured three others last Sept. 26.

The mayor said the city needs to ensure that those undertaking demolition works are complying with the conditions contained in the demolition permits granted to them especially on the safety measures required of them.

CBAO head Engr. Nazita Banez agreed to double their efforts even as she said they inspected ongoing dismantling work at Burnham Hotel two weeks ago and saw lack of appropriate protection measures on site.

“We even advised the contractor on the need for safety measures but apparently they did not comply,” Banez said.  

One of the walls of the condemned structure collapsed while the laborers were at work at around 11 a.m. Saturday.  

The wall hit the workers killing one Bryan Fangsilan of Barangay San Carlos Heights and injuring as Junel Aquino, Jordan Francisco and William Flores, all residents of Sison, Pangasinan. – With a report from Aileen P. Refuerzo