In light of the recent collapse of a portion of the under construction Capitol Central Mall, which resulted in the death of two laborers, the Department of Labor and Employment-Region VI (DOLE-6) yesterday issued a work stoppage order.

According to DOLE Negros Occidental Field Office chief Mary Agnes N. Capigon, the fatalities prompted DOLE-6 to issue the order, noting, “We immediately dispatched two labor inspectors [to] the project site.”

Both contractor, the Makati Development Corporation, and subcontractor, Kuntel Construction, have ceased operations since the incident occurred last weekend.

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

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./PLL, WDJ