We are deeply alarmed and saddened by the incident that occurred today at a construction site in Brgy. Santo Domingo, Santa Rosa, Laguna, where two construction workers were buried under debris following the collapse of a section of the mall’s second floor. This tragic event highlights the persistent and urgent concerns surrounding occupational safety standards at construction sites across the country.

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) calls on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to immediately conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. It is essential that those responsible for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards are held accountable.

This is not a minor accident—it is a life-threatening incident that reflects a broader, systemic failure to protect workers in high-risk industries. Construction remains one of the most dangerous sectors in the country.
Recent data from IOHSAD, collected between January and March, recorded 94 workplace incidents, resulting in 56 deaths and 115 injuries. These numbers once again highlight the alarming frequency of occupational accidents, particularly in high-risk sectors like construction, where safety is frequently compromised.

As we approach International Workers’ Memorial Day, this incident serves as a painful and urgent reminder of the real dangers workers face every day. It reinforces our call to criminalize OSH violations and to strengthen the enforcement of mechanisms that uphold workers’ rights to safe and healthy workplaces.

This tragedy must not be in vain—it must lead to meaningful change. Let this be a wake-up call: No worker should ever have to risk their life just to earn a living.