SMC apologizes to victims of Skyway mishap

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Sunday apologized to the victims of the accident in its Skyway extension project site in Cupang, Muntinlupa.

The mishap on Saturday killed one person and injured four others, most of whom were motorists traversing the East Service Road.

Company President and COO Ramon S. Ang said that even if EE I Corp. is handling the construction as its contractor, SMC as the project proponent has the responsibility to take care of the victims.

“Even with a contractor handling construction, ultimately, we are responsible for the welfare of those who were affected. I would like to personally apologize to the victims and their families, as well as to our larger community in Muntinlupa,” Ang said in a statement.

The accident, reported to have been caused by a crane that tipped over as it moved into position, which then hit a steel girder causing it to fall on six vehicles, hitting the motorists that ply the road.

“This terrible and tragic accident has affected me in ways I can’t even begin to express. I have not stopped thinking about the people who were affected, the four that were injured and most especially, the person who perished, and his family. There are no words that can ease the grief of losing a loved one,” Ang said.

“To the family, I can only offer my sincerest and deepest condolences, and my personal assurance that your family will be taken care of. To those who were injured, please be assured we will provide all the means necessary for you to recover and restart.”

Ang said the incident will be investigated thoroughly, and that San Miguel and its contractor EE I will make sure even stricter measures are in place at the project site.

“In a project of this magnitude and scale, there are many redundant safety measures in place. Unfortunately, we can’t predict every outcome, and I’m sure no one wanted this to happen," he said.

“Regardless, we are working with authorities to determine the root cause of this incident. We will find out where lapses occurred and do whatever is necessary to help make sure they don’t happen again.”

Probe

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE ) said it is now investigating the incident.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said he has already instructed DOLE 's labor inspector to check if the contractor of the project violated occupational safety and health standards (OSHC).

"If they are not compliant, they may face liabilities," Bello said in a phone interview.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR ) of Republic Act 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Act, an erring company may be fined between P20,000 to P50,000 daily depending on its violations.

This fine is apart from the civil and criminal case companies may face for their infraction.

The Skyway Extension is a P10-billion project that will extend the elevated expressway from Susana Heights in South Luzon Expressway to Sucat and back, and provide direct access to the elevated section of the Skyway.

It will also connect the SLE X and the Muntinlupa-cavite Expressway to the Skyway at Susana Heights bypassing Alabang.

Due to the accident, SMC said the timetable for the completion of the extension project was pushed back to February 2021.