Labor agency issues recommendations for Subic shipyard

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) issued seven recommendations to a Subic shipyard company whose operations have recently killed six and injured others last October 7.

Although it withheld penalties for Keppel Shipyard Inc. (KSI), the agency nevertheless said that it should accredit all safety officers of the company and its subcontractors.

Other recommendations include employing at least two full-time accredited safety practitioners who will oversee and implement the company's safety program and the submission of the company's Annual Health Safety Environment (HSE) action plan that will be approved by the agency.

The company's safety officers should also attend a five-day Construction Safety Training conducted by the Occupational Safety and health Center (OSHC) or with an accredited safety training organizations, the Dole said.

The agency's two other proposals include the installation of two tower posts of a bigger diameter on each side of the stern ramp instead of just one tower post placed in the middle of the ramp, the regular checking and calibration of cables prior to any repairs on the ramp, and the proper installation and regular inspection by structural engineers of scaffoldings over 10 meters high and all other installations constructed over the scaffoldings.

These recommendations were made by the agency's inspection team immediately after the tragedy, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

"KSI management should implement these seven corrective measures on occupational safety and health to avoid the recurrence of the recent mishap in the said shipyard," said Baldoz. "These are short and long term recommendations, which should be undertaken to avoid a possible recurrence of the accident."

Last October 7, a 42-ton steel ramp being erected at the Keppel shipyard collapsed on a group of workers, killing six people and injuring several others.

Based on the report of Labor Undersecretary for Labor Standards and Social Protection Lourdes Trasmonte, several occupational safety and health (OSH) standards were violated.

These violations include inadequate support of the ramp being retrofitted, no design by structural engineer for scaffoldings more than 10 meters high, the temporary electrical installation suspended in the tube and coupler scaffolds, and no Dole-accredited safety practitioners, and no first-aid medical practitioners.

Dole has withheld imposing penalties, pending a report from the Senate inquiry called by Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. (AMN/Sunnex sunstar.com.ph)

Bodies of three 'Maring' fatalities found in Zambales

Authorities on Friday said they have found the corpses of three security guards who were buried alive after a landslide covered their guard house in Blanco Mining, Botolan, Zambales last Wednesday.

Fatalities Celso Metran, Patricio Diaz and Amor Metran are all security guards of the MILLGOS Security Agency.

This brings to nine the total number of fatalities in the wake of tropical depression "Maring.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said a state of calamity remains in effect in Botolan after massive floods affected 10 barangays. A similar declaration was hoisted by local officials in DinalupIhan, Bataan; Olongapo City and Zambales Province.

The NDCC said more than 77,000 families in 32 citities and municipalities were affected by flooding and landslides brought on by Maring.

It said the weather disturbance destroyed an estimated P133,332,032.90 worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the country.

Ex-actress freed after settling with victims

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines -- Former actress Angela Perez was released by the police on Tuesday after settling with the family of the people struck by the van she was driving on Friday.

Perez, 42, whose real name is Rowena Lim, was detained on Friday after she hit four people while driving a Toyota Hi-ace van. Two of the victims died.

Police said Perez was on her way to the city proper at about 8:30 p.m. when she hit Angelo Maeda, 18, who was walking on a shoulder along Rizal Avenue in Barangay (Village) West Bajac-bajac.

After hitting Maeda, Reyes' van swerved to the opposite lane and hit Erlinda Miguel, 52, who was driving a pedicab. Miguel was ferrying Regine Miguel, 7, and Jomar Bernal, 10.

Maeda and Erlinda Miguel died while being taken to a local hospital while Regine Miguel and Bernal were hurt.

SPO3 Ernesto Nolasco said tests done on Perez showed she was drunk at the time of the accident.

Nolasco said bottles of brandy were recovered from her vehicle.

"The families of the victims are poor. They settled with her in the amount of P125,000 for Miguel, and approximately P130,000 for Maeda," he said.

A complaint for homicide, physical injuries and damage to property through reckless imprudence against Perez was withdrawn by Maeda's family following the settlement. By Robert Gonzaga - Philippine Daily Inquirer

1984 movie poster for Kumander Cobra - Stars Dang Cecilio, Maria Montes, Angela Perez, Charlie Davao, George Estregan and Anthony Alonzo

Another Death at Hanjin

ISA NA NAMANG MANGGAGAWA NG HANJIN SHIPBUILDING SA SUBIC, ZAMBALES NATAGPUANG PATAY SA DAGAT

Subic, Zambales. Natagpuan kaninang 2:30 ng hapon sa may dagat malapit sa barkong ginagawa na may pangalang #4 PMA CGM Lapis sa Hanjin Shipbuilding site sa Subic, Zambales ang matigas ng bangkay ni Teodoro Albior, 30 taong gulang, taga barangay Mabayuan, Olongapo City.

Ayon sa mga manggagawa nakakita habang itinataas ang bangkay ng biktima mula sa dagat na ayaw magpabanggit ng kanilang mga pangalan, ang biktima ay nakitang nakasuot pa ang kanyang uniporming overall na blue at siya ay nakapanloob ng pulang tshirt at nakarubber shoes.

Ang biktimang si Albior ay nagtatrabaho bilang grinder sa ZAMBANAS, isang sub-contractor ng Hanjin Shipbuilding.

Pinaniniwalaang kagabi pa namatay si Albior. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay patuloy pa ang ginagawang imbestigasyon ng mga pulis ng Subic, Zambales upang alamin ang dahilan ng pagkamatay ni Albior.

Sa record ng People’ Task Force on Hanjin & Subic Bay Inc. ay umaabot na sa 27 ang bilang ng mga namay sa Hanjin simula ng ito ay magbukas dahil sa aksidente at sakit na malaria. Umaabot na rin sa mahigit limang libong aksidente ang nagyari sa loob Hanjin.

Patuloy pa rin ang ginagawang imbestigasyon ng kani-kaniyang Committee on Labor and Employment ng Senado at Kongreso dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagkamatay at aksidente ng mga manggagawa sa loob ng Hanjin. By Task Force Hanjin - Mon Lacbain

DOLE sends team to Subic to probe Hanjin deaths

MANILA, Philippines - Alarmed over the recent spate of accidental deaths at the shipbuilding facility of Korean firm Hanjin in Subic, the Labor department has decided to start an investigation on the matter.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said he has instructed the Labor department regional office in Central Luzon to send a team to the site and investigate the deaths.

"(Dati) pinamahala natin sa SBMA. Kaya medyo nakikialam na kami, pinapapasok namin ang team natin doon sa Hanjin [Before, we left it to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to handle the matter. But now we have to intervene. I have sent a team there to Hanjin]," Roque said in
an interview on dwIZ radio.

He said that before, it was not Hanjin but the subcontractors that were found negligent in ensuring the safety of workers at the facility.

Roque also noted the Labor department conducted a seminar on safety there sometime last year.

Last weekend, Sen. Pilar Juliana Cayetano voiced exasperation over what she called government inaction on the deaths of Filipino workers at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries.

Cayetano also hinted at bringing the matter to the International Labor Organization if the Senate allows itself to be "bullied" by Korea's ambassador.

She also scored the indifference being shown so far by the SBMA and the DOLE toward the rising death toll at the shipyard.

Last Friday, laborer Raldon del Rosario died after an 800-kilogram metal door being installed at the shipyard's "Assembly Part 3" section fell on him.

Another worker, Camalio Buchie, 24, reportedly suffered a leg injury during the incident.

Del Rosario is reportedly the 18th fatality among workers from traffic and work-related accidents at the job site since 2006, according to Hanjin's official count.

But People's Task Force Hanjin has recorded over 40 deaths among the workers, including those who have died from malaria.

- GMANews.TV

Cayetano slams deaths in Subic Hanjin shipyard

SENATOR Pia Cayetano has deplored the Department of Labor and Employment’s alleged failure to investigate and penalize those responsible for the “unusually large” number of accidents and deaths at the Hanjin shipyard in Subic freeport.

She also questioned other government agencies, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), for failing to act on other reported irregularities at the freeport.

She wants to probe the reported series of deaths of Filipino laborers due to work-related accidents at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) Phils. at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales.

She earlier questioned the decision of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to merely suspend the subcontractor Philnorkor while sparing Hanjin from any penalties in connection with the recent deaths of two subcontracted workers, Philip Mendoza and Jose Vener Gil, last November.

Gil is reportedly the 15th to die in work-related accidents at the shipyard, while Mendoza is the second to die in traffic-related accidents. But reports reaching Cayetano’s office indicate that many more workers have also died due to illness, particularly malaria. By: Bernadette E. Tamayo - Journal online

Subcontractor removed from shipyard after worker’s death

The Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Phils. Inc. on Friday served a notice terminating the contract of its Korean subcontractor Bodahh following the death of another Filipino worker at the shipyard in Subic, Zambales, on Wednesday.

“It did not comply with safety rules and regulations, causing us big damages,” Pyeong Jong-yu, general manager of Hanjin, said.

The Department of Labor and Employment has advised Hanjin to end the services of Bodahh because while the latest victim, Arvy Mahinay, fell from the roof of Dry Dock No. 5 due to “human error,” the subcontractor committed lapses as well, according to DOLE Assistant Regional Director Alvin Villamor.

One such lapse, Villamor said, was that Bodahh subcontracted Mahinay’s employment to Trigon, which Hanjin claimed to be not aware of.

He said Trigon conducted tool box meetings, or work briefings, but these were held in its headquarters within the 385-hectare shipyard, “not at the work area, to give the workers a sort of hands on.”

Investigation

Villamor had interviewed a foreman who was working on the same roof together with Mahinay, 19. The foreman confirmed the worker unstrapped the lifeline on his waist.

The lifeline showed no sign that it snapped, Villamor said.

“The question is, although he wore safety equipment, why did his helmet fall off that he had to get it?” he said. Mahinay only wore rubber shoes, not protective boots.

According to Villamor, Bodahh’s safety officers were not accredited with the Bureau of Working Conditions, an agency under the DOLE.

“It has no pre-employment standard criteria. Mahinay, as a roof installer, should have at least had one or more years of experience before he was hired for such kind of work,” he said.

Liabilities

Both Bodahh and Trigon are liable to pay the funeral cost and damages for the death of Mahinay, a native of Pasig City.

“This is the fault of Bodahh, not Hanjin,” Villamor said.

Pyeong earlier said the latest death at the 385-hectare shipyard made the firm’s officials “so disappointed to the point that the situation drove us speechless.”

“It happened again in spite of our drastic and strict measures being implemented after the last incident as a means of eradicating the cause of accidents,” Pyeong said.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said Mahinay’s death could be attributed to “human error” and was not related to the non-compliance of the Korean shipyard company to safety standards. By Tonette Orejas - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Blast kills 2-yr-old, wounds 6 others in Zambales

A two-year-old child was killed while six others were wounded when a grenade blew up in Palauig town, Zambales, dzBB radio reported Monday night.

Radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. cited sketchy initial reports identifying the fatality as Moises Tampug Ulyen, 2, who succumbed to wounds from an exploding M-203 grenade.

The others who were rushed to the Ramon Magsaysay Provincial Hospital were initially identified as Dexter Saliu-an, 9; John Joseph Tenega Os-ag, 7; Jeremiah Basong, 7; Lovelever Ulier; Jarius Osag; and Wilma Joy Umayat.

Initial investigation showed the six were playing in Sitio Dapla in Salaza village when they chanced on the M-203 explosive. When they tried to pick it up, the explosive blew up.

Palauig is a third-class town with a population of 29,983 people in 5,945 households. - GMANews.TV

SBMA stops Hanjin

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phils.) was ordered to stop operations yesterday after another worker died in an accident in its shipyard over the weekend.

This is the third time that HHIC-Phils. has been issued a cease-and-desist order since the shipping company started operations in 2006.

Ramon Agregado, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) senior deputy administrator for support services, told The STAR “legal and regulatory measures” will be meted out against HHIC-Phils. if it is found to have disregarded health and safety requirements.

“This shall be without prejudice to other sanctions, fines and penalties that may be imposed against HHIC-Phils. Inc. as principal of Subic Han Sung Inc. should the latter be found guilty or remiss of its obligations to fully provide for the safety and health of its workers,” he said.

Agregado said the latest incident raises questions about HHI-Phils.’ compliance with occupational safety and health rules and regulations.

A total of 13 fatal accidents have been reported at HHIC-Phils.’ $1.6-billion shipyard since 2006, he added.

Agregado also directed Subic Han Sung Inc., the HHIC-Phils. subcontractor that employed Benjie Gamolo, the worker who died in the accident, to explain within 48 hours why its registration should not be suspended or revoked.

A seven-day cease-and-desist order was issued against Subic Han Sung.

The two separate orders were sent yesterday to HHIC-Phils. president Jeong Sup Shim and Han Sung president Ryoo Kwon Taek.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old Gamolo was reportedly installing a back girder atop a beam when an eight-foot long, eight-ton steel beam slipped and hit him in the back and left side of the body.

The back girder was reportedly used as a brace for parallel columns.

Gamolo, a structural erector, died from the injuries the next day at the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

Last June 20, the SBMA also ordered HHIC-Phils. to stop operations after a steel formwork collapsed due to strong winds, killing one worker and injuring four others.

Records showed that on Jan. 18 this year, two welders – Mario Lacsamana of Subic, Zambales and Jeremias Adamos of Morong, Bataan – died when a welding machine blew up. Two rigger operators, Eduardo Molina and Niel Mojica, both from Castillejos, Zambales were killed when they were hit by a steel platform while working at the quay wall of HHIC-Phils. on March 10 this year.

On June 15, Oliver Labay, a 32-year-old worker from Olongapo City, died when he was pinned down by a steel plate while fixing another steel plate at Fabrication 23 Bay Assemble Shop of HHI-Phils at Redondo Peninsula on June 15. — With Bebot Sison Jr. By Ric Sapnu - PhilStar

Man killed in Olongapo road accident

A man was killed in Olongapo City after being dragged by a passenger jeepney after falling down from his motorcycle, police authorities said on Monday.

In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, SPO2 Mariano Pastor of Brgy. Baretto police in Olongapo identified the victim as Virgil Villanueva, 31, of 1772 Fountain St. East Tapinac, Olongapo City.

Belated police reports said Villanueva was aboard his motorcycle with plate number XRN 9919 CN heading to Subic at about 5:20 p.m. on Saturday when he lost control of his motorcycle and subsequently got hit and dragged by a passenger jeepney, said the police.

Villanueva was immediately rushed to Mount Carmel Clinic in Olongapo City but attending physician Dr. Eva Esteban declared him dead on arrival, said Pastor.

He added that a concerned citizen reported the incident to the police.

So far no charges have been pressed against Sirilo Lymiad, the driver of the passenger jeepney. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV

13th worker killed in accident at Hanjin's Subic shipyard

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT, Philippines — Nine days after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo christened and launched the first ship built by the South Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation-Phils (HHIC) here, tragedy struck its shipbuilding facility again after another Filipino construction worker died Sunday morning.

The latest fatality is the 13th since construction began in 2006 of the US$1.6 billion Hanjin shipbuilding facility.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) identified the victim as Benje Gamolo, 31, and a resident of Tatalon, Quezon City. Gamolo worked at the shipyard as structural erector under the supervision of Subic Hansung Inc., an accredited Hanjin sub-contractor.

According to the incident report, Gamolo was reportedly installing a back girder around 4:10 pm Saturday when the right section of the eight-foot long, eight-ton steel beam slipped and hit him on his back and left side of the body.

The back girder was reportedly used as a brace for parallel columns.

The accident initially resulted in the “avulsion of the victim’s fifth digit finger, swelling of the victim’s left hand, and extreme pain." Gamolo was rushed to the James L. Gordon Hospital for treatment but succumbed to injuries Sunday around 7a.m.

Regulators have yet to issue their statement about the latest incident. SBMA suspended construction activities here last June 20 after the 12th fatality, 52-year old employee of HHCL from Candelaria, Zambales, was killed when a formwork at a dry-dock construction site collapsed and pinned the worker.

SBMA organized a safety inspection team at the construction site to ensure the South Korean construction firm and its sub-contractors follow the national safety standards. - GMANews.TV

2 die, 20 injured in road mishap

OLONGAPO CITY -- Two died and 20 others were wounded, nine of them seriously, in a freak accident on a national road in Bgy. Cabalan here yesterday morning.

Olongapo City Police Director Supt. Abelardo Villacorta identified the fatalities as Erick Diaz of Lower Kalaklan and Winnie Santua, 22, of Bgy. Sta. Rita, both this city.

Undergoing treatment at the JL Gordon Memorial Hospital were Sheena Karen Montilla Garcia, 22, Blk 24 Gordon Heights, this city; and Ronnel DC Bondoc, 28; Josephine Fernandez, 39; Nerissa Lagos, 32; Rodel Cruz, 43; Charlene Tapnio, 13; Expedito Teroy, 37; Arvie Manares, 12; and Maty Liza Figueroa, 14, all of Old Cabalan, Olongapo City.

The 11 other passengers sustained minor injuries and were released later.

P03 Rene Pundavela, officer on case, said the car driven by Diaz and with Santua and Garcia attempted to overtake a passenger jeepney driven by Manalansan, but hit another jeepney. The car, he said, swerved to the opposite lane and collided with an incoming jeepney driven by Bondoc.

Diaz and Santua were pinned inside the car, resulting in their sudden death. By: Ruben A. Veloria - Journal online

SBMA orders probe vs Hanjin over deaths of 2 workers

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines - Authorities here have imposed sanctions against Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. Philippines for the death of a Filipino worker last week even as the South Korean firm is under investigation for yet another fatal accident at the Hanjin shipyard over the weekend.

A notice of violation was issued against Hanjin for several safety violations that may have caused the death of a worker last Wednesday.

In a statement, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said that the Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) is investigating the latest incident.

The first of the two separate fatal accidents involved a worker identified as Rafael Careg of Pasig City, who was riding a pickup truck when hit by a Hanjin crane boom truck.

The second accident, according to initial investigation by the SBMA Intelligence and Investigation Office (SBMA-IIO), showed that a certain Oliver Labay was grinding a block bulkhead for a cargo ship about 1:50 a.m. Sunday when another bulkhead behind him collapsed, hitting him at the back of his head and pinning him to the concrete floor.

Initial report indicated that that the metal stopper keeping the one-ton bulkhead in place gave way.

Arreza said that HHIC-Phil head Jeong Sup Shim had relayed to him the company's regrets for the tragedy and said the firm will abide by SBMA requirements on safety procedures at the shipyard.

None of Hanjin's officers could not be reached for comments and have opted to relay their messages through the Freeport authority. - JOHN BAYARONG, GMANews.TV

Olongapo Cop killed in freak accident

A policeman was killed in a freak accident while reportedly playing with his firearm inside his boardinghouse in Taguig City, dzBB radio reported early Friday.

Sketchy initial report said the victim, PO2 Jeffrey Macarubo of Olongapo City, was with his live-in partner PO3 Adora Aduan in his boardinghouse in Camp Bagong Diwa when the incident happened.

Macarubo was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. - GMANews.TV

Hanjin guards blamed for death of Subic fisherman

A woman is blaming the guards of the Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Phil. Inc. for the death of her husband from cerebral hemorrhage on June 5 after the guards allegedly harassed him and nine other fishermen on Rendondo Bay in Subic, Zambales.

Julieta Ebale, 45, said she wanted the Korean firm Hanjin and its three Filipino guards punished for the death of her husband, Anastacio, 39.

"We were in the waters of Nagyantoc, pulling our nets when three Hanjin guards came on a speedboat and shouted expletives at us. One of the 10 fishermen, Leo Banela, tried to reason by saying we have the right to fish in the area. One of the guards shouted, 'Pu#@* mo,' pulled out his firearm, which looked like an Armalite rifle, and threatened to shoot us," Ebale told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview.

At that point, she said, her husband collapsed.

"We tried to give him first aid to no avail," she said.

This happened between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Thursday, she said.

The death certificate showed "cerebral hemorrhage" as the cause of Anastacio's death. "His blood pressure rose," Ebale said, citing the information given her by a doctor.

She said her husband must have been "very shocked" because Hanjin guards beat him up when he went fishing in the same area on May 1.

Tirso Rosal, security consultant of Hanjin, said the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which has jurisdiction over the Redondo bay area, approved a 200-meter no-fishing zone from the coast of the shipyard.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza confirmed the fishing ban in the zone where the company has been anchoring its newly built ships.

Hanjin president Jeong Sup Shim expressed "regret" for the death of Anastacio and offered condolences to his family.

"We are conducting our own investigation on the matter and [we] will cooperate fully with SBMA's official investigation. The HHIC condemns all forms of inhumane treatment and will not tolerate any abuses from any of its employees or contractors," Jeong said in a statement.

Jeong said Hanjin would "take full responsibility should it be established that its employees were responsible for [Anastacio's death] and will turn over these employees to the proper authorities."

Arreza said he asked Hanjin to "turn over for immediate investigation all Hanjin security personnel involved in the incident."

"Appropriate charges will be filed against them should the investigation prove the allegations to be true," Arreza told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

"SBMA will continue to ensure that the rights of these fishermen [are] protected and upheld," he said.

Ebale said those involved in the June 5 incident wore no nameplates.

"But I can identify them by their [facial and other features]," she said.

She said one wore a military uniform while the two others wore life vests over their green shirts. The vests were marked with the word "safety" in orange letters, Ebale said.

"We were far from the no-fishing zone," she said.

Anastacio's death left her as the sole breadwinner in the family. She has two children, aged 11 and 12. By Tonette Orejas - Central Luzon Desk

WORKERS COMMEMORATE MEMORIAL DAY FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN THE WORK PLACE

Highlights Workers’ Plight in Subic Korean Company

A ceremony and press conference will be held on Sunday, 27 April 2008 10am at Max's Restaurant, Olongapo City

“Jobs should provide workers with a living, not cause deaths”

For the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, activists and workers will reiterate the call for safe working environments. The Philippine commemoration will focus on the unsafe and “deadly” working conditions in the ship-building facility of Hanjin-Philippines in Subic where accidents and deaths are prevalent.

Panel:

AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW)
Ship-builders and Construction Workers Association (SCWA)
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
Task Force Hanjin (TFH)

Two die in healing priest's Olongapo vigil

Two persons died as thousands of people flocked to the Holy Trinity Parish in Olongapo City to have themselves treated by "miraculous" healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez, ABS-CBN News reported Sunday.

The report said the faithful, mostly ill people hoping to be healed by Suarez, started crowding the parish in New Cabalan village Saturday morning.

At 7 a.m., victim Victoria Umali was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack due to congestion of people waiting for the priest.

She died while being treated at a local hospital.

The second fatality was identified as Juanito Eleazar. He died at 2 p.m.

Aside from the two victims, several people reportedly collapsed due to intense heat.

Despite the incidents, people continued to flock to the church to get a glimpse of the healing priest. The crowd was estimated at 10,000.

Organizers appealed to the crowd to avoid pushing others to prevent injuries.

Some of the faithful, however, scored the organizers for lack of security measures.

ABS-CBN News tried but failed to reach Fr. Suarez for comment.

The Canada-based priest has been performing faith healing in the Philippines and the United States.

He began his "healing sessions" in the Philippines on January 11 at his Montemaria shrine in Batangas City. The Mass was officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.

The Catholic Church has since confirmed that Suarez's healing sessions are authentic.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, meanwhile, said it remains "watchful" of the priest's healing Masses and sessions. ABS-CBN

Hanjin vows to prevent further accidents

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The management of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. on Saturday assured authorities here that it would implement proper safety measures in its Re­dondo shipyard after two workers died in an accident at a worksite.

Calling the accident on Friday a "terrible tragedy", HHIC-Phils. President Jeong Sup Shim said in a letter to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator/chief executive officer Armand Arreza that the company will improve its safety program to prevent further occurrence of similar accidents.

"The management of HHIC-Phil deeply regrets the unfortunate incident that happened at its shipyard at Redondo, which led to two casualties and to the injury of four other workers," said Shim.

"We sincerely condole with the families and relatives of victims of this tragedy and assure them all necessary assistance," he said.

Arreza on Friday ordered a full-scale investigation into the safety program at the Hanjin shipbuilding site following the incident.

He said a full-scale probe is necessary to determine whether Hanjin, or its project sub-contractors, had been remiss in the implementation of safety measures at the worksite.

Shim told Arreza in his letter that the company will give its full cooperation in improving HHIC-Phil’s safety program.

"Our company commits to implement proper measures that may be needed to further enhance the safety and occupational security of our workers, and to prevent the occurrences of similar incidents such as this terrible tragedy," Shim said.

By BEBOT SISON JR. - The Philippine Star

Safety lapses at Hanjin facility in Subic probed

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) ordered Friday a full scale investigation into the explosion at the shipbuilding site of South Korean Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp that caused the death of two workers and injured four others early in the day.

In a press conference, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the investigation will also look into the occupational health and safety issues inside the shipbuilding facility.

"We've formed a team to look into the occupational health and safety standards at the production facility and if we find any violation of the standards, we will order the closure of the facility," Arreza told reporters.

The incident came a day after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) team together with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) visited the site to inspect the health and safety of the workers in the production facility.

The DOLE team reportedly gave Hanjin's occupational safety and health program a passing mark.

During the press conference, Arreza admitted the there have been several incidences of work related death at the South Korean facility.

"To be honest, there were two deaths during the last two weeks, one cause by a steel pipe and the other was due to a vehicle-related accident," he said. - John Bayarong, GMANews.TV

HANJIN INCIDENT REPORT

Hanjin Subic Shipyard, Drydock No. 5, January 18, 2008 11am : Explosion was heard at the Propeller Alley (This is a compartment at the AFT, STERN, or TAIL portion of the ship)

Fatalities:

Jeremias Adamos – Barretto, Olongapo ( Family from Subic)
Mario Laxamana – Morong, Bataan

Injured:

Jonathan Martinez – Banicain, Olongapo
Gilbert Ruba – Kalalake, Olongapo (from Tarlac)
Donald Elijan – Castillejos, Zambales (All 3 confined at St. Jude Hospital)
1 Korean National and another Filipino w/ minor hand injury.
Many Filipino co-workers were traumatized by the incident.

According to the survivors:

They are working at the rudder and propeller section of the ship: fitting-cutting-welding-grinding inside a closed compartment.

Adamos and Laxamana are working (grinding) overhead, 10 to 12 feet above them.

Martinez and Ruba noticed that there are oil spills on the deck which came from the cleaning operation on the propeller.

The survivors believe that sparks from cutting and grinding operation which fell on the oil started the fire.

Other witness accounts however claimed that the sparks actually fell on the acetylene gas rubber hose.

The punctures on the hose created by hot molten metals caused the flammable gas to leak.

This gas leak, built-up in the propeller-alley compartment during their 10am breaktime.

When they returned for work at 11am, the compartment is already saturated by a highly combustible gas. An accident waiting to happen.

A spark from either welding, grinding or cutting operation ignited the combustible gas which caused the explosion and the fire.

Comments/Recommendations:

• There was no Safety Officer and/or “Fire Watch” in the vicinity while the work was going on.
• The Safety Officer should have conducted “Gas-Free Inspection” prior to start of work.
• Shipyard workers should be alert all the time, keeping their area clean and clear of hazards. The fatalities were not able to escape the fire because their bodies were entangled in the electrical wires (temporary lighting & extension cords) which were not properly organized inside the compartment.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Since the survivors insisted that the flame actually started from the oily surface of the deck and that they have not smelled traces of combustible gas in the compartment (which would have alerted them when they returned to work after breaktime), this means that oxygen was the gas that leaked.

An oxygen-rich environment would make an ordinary oil highly-flammable.

Possible Causes of this situation are:

1. Defective Oxygen Valve.

2. Somebody deliberately opened the oxygen valve in order to introduce fresh air into the closed compartment or to flush-out smoke from welding operation (A big mistake by untrained personnel).

3. The oxygen rubber hose was accidentally punctured either by hot molten metal from welding sparks or had been mechanically damaged when hit by a sharp/heavy metal/plate.

RE-TRAINING IN SHIPYARD SAFETY IS OBVIOUSLY IN ORDER.

The writer, Olongapo Skills Training Director, Edwin Piano, have more than 20 years of shipyard experience both locally and overseas. He conducts Safety Training for welders endorsed by Mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr to Hanjin shipbuilding project.