1 dead, 4 hurt in building mishap

DAVAO CITY -- A construction worker died while four others were wounded when a portion of the fourth level of a building being constructed in Bajada, Davao City collapsed around 6:50 a.m. Saturday.

Sta. Ana Police Chief Ronald Lao identified the fatality as Crispin Disalisa, of legal age and a resident of Metro Manila.

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According to Lao, Disalisa died when slabs of concrete and other heavy materials from a portion of the fourth level of the building fell on him.

Injured workers were identified as Marciano Polbo, 29, of Daliaon Plantation, Toril; Jimmy Delos Santos, 36, of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija; Remwels Balirio, 23, of Talisay, Cebu; and Joey Rey Soson, 22, of Calinan, Davao City.

Those injured were brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), but were later transferred to the Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital.

In an official statement, the general contractor, DDT Konstract Inc. said while workers were pouring concrete at the roof deck of a portion of Robinsons building inside Abreeza Mall project, the formworks suddenly buckled and collapsed.

Five workers were working at the time the accident happened, four were affected and were immediately brought to the hospital for treatment, the statement added.

"Unfortunately, there was one fatality. DDT Konstract Inc. assures full assistance to those who were affected and the family of the fatality. Investigation is ongoing to assess the accident and DDT Konstract Inc. is fully cooperating with the relevant government authorities in the investigation," the statement said.

Members of the media were reportedly barred from entering the site where the incident happened.

Workers who were outside the construction site after the tragedy were also barred from entering, while those who were inside the construction site were not permitted to leave the area.

Sun.Star SuperBalita failed to get the name of the project engineer who could provide pertinent information regarding the incident as most construction workers and security personnel refused to give comments to the media.

"Ongoing pa ang among investigation para makuha nato ang kompleto nga detalye sa insidente (Investigation is ongoing)," Lao said. (Alger Dura of Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)