Worker injuries reported in rush to finish SEA Games facilities
WITH AT least two reported injuries as workers scramble to finish structures that will be used for the ongoing 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) warned employers of possible administrative charges for failure to follow safety standards. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said Occupational Safety and Health Standards should be observed, including the use of safety equipment. Earlier, photos were shared on social media of construction workers rushing to finish buildings that will be used for the 2019 SEA Games, some of them not wearing the proper safety gear. On Tuesday morning, a construction worker was reported to have injured his leg after falling off a scaffolding at an area of the Rizal Memorial Stadium. In the afternoon, a “volunteer” construction worker also fell and fractured his skull at the same site. The opening football matches for the SEA Games already started Monday at the Rizal Stadium. Meanwhile, Labor Undersecretary Ana C. Dione said injured workers should be entitled to social benefits, among other compensation depending on the incident. Ms. Dione also stressed that employers must abide by the mandated benefits for workers, including those under a contractual status.
POLITICKING
As glitches on many other aspects of the SEA Games hosting continue to surface — from ID card distribution to food quality, transport services and other logistical arrangements — Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go said politicking among three key sports agencies is among the reasons for these problems. Mr. Go, chair of the Senate committee on sports, said he has been aware of backstage issues months prior to the Nov. 30–Dec. 11 multi-sport competition. “Two months ago, three months ago, before they elected their president, there has already been politics at the PoC (Philippine Olympic Committee),” Mr. Go, speaking in mixed English and Filipino, said over a radio interview with DzBB on Tuesday. He added that the Philippine Sports Commission, a government agency under Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, felt that they should have been in charge. The senator earlier committed that after the 2019 SEA Games, his committee will hold an inquiry to look into the accountability of concerned agencies for the issues relating to the hosting. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III agreed that an investigation is in order. Mr. Sotto also countered claims of House of Representatives leaders that the Senate was responsible for the problems after the delay in the budget approval, which ultimately affected preparations for the event hosting. Mr. Sotto noted the leadership change during the previous Congress that saw the rise of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as House Speaker and the resulting impasse that led to the months-long delay in the budget enactment. — Gillian M. Cortez and Charmaine A. Tadalan
