Construction halted and pending investigation

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least two construction workers are confirmed dead after a portion of the Capitol Central Mall, which is still under construction, located at San Juan Street-South Capitol Road in Bacolod City, collapsed over the weekend.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Doddy Boy Mallorca, a resident of Barangay Magsungay, Bacolod City; and Heracleo Abraham, a resident of Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Based on initial reports by Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6), around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Mallorca and Abraham were pouring cement on the sixth floor when the scaffoldings and beams collapsed.

Workers rushed to the scene, pulling Abraham out first, however, he was declared dead after his head was crushed by debris.

Meanwhile, Mallorca was rescued around 6:20 a.m. and he was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), where he was declared dead due to multiple injuries to his head and legs.

Following the incident, Kuntel Construction, the firm in charge of construction, temporarily halted all operations, pending an investigation from civil engineers and safety inspectors.

Capitol Central Mall Branch Manager Therese Borromeo said the families of the two victims will receive financial assistance from Ayala Malls and Kuntel Construction.

She also assured the needs of the victims’ next of kin would be addressed./DGB, WDJ