DOLE summons contractors, others over Pampanga building collapse

Bureau of Fire Protection rescuers, together with responders from various partner agencies, continuously conduct search, rescue, and retrieval operations at the collapsed structure incident site in Brgy. Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, on May 25, 2026. (Courtesy: Bureau of Fire Protection Central Luzon/Facebook)

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) summoned contractors and other responsible parties to formal hearings to explain alleged safety violations and determine accountability following the recent building collapse incident in Pampanga.

In a statement, DOLE reiterated its strict enforcement of Work Stoppage Orders (WSOs) on collapsed or structurally compromised buildings to protect construction workers and prevent further loss of life.

Under the directive, all construction and demolition activities in affected sites must immediately cease pending comprehensive occupational safety and structural integrity investigations.

The Labor Department warned violators may face penalties of up to P100,000 per violation, along with possible criminal liabilities.

As part of standard procedures in building collapse incidents, DOLE conducts extensive safety audits to determine whether contractors complied with occupational safety regulations.

The department also checks whether workers are properly registered under mandatory government benefit programs, including the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and the Pag-IBIG Fund.

DOLE emphasized that under Philippine labor and safety laws, both the contractor and the property owner or developer may be held solidarily liable for the hospitalization, compensation, and other benefits of workers injured or killed in construction accidents.

The department is also working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide financial assistance, family relief packs, and emergency employment opportunities for displaced workers and affected families. — Vito Barcelo