๐ท: ACT Teachers Partylist / FB
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio hasย filed House Resolution No. 1120 directing the Committee on Labor and Employment to conduct an immediate inquiry into the May 24 collapse of a nine-story building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga that killed 30 workers and injured 27 others.
The resolution, co-authored by Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co, seeks to review the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law (RA 11058) and push for the criminalization of OSH standards violationsโmoving beyond the current system of mere fines that has proven ineffective in holding employers accountable.
“The collapse of that building was not an accidentโit was the result of criminal negligence,” Tinio said. “An unauthorized additional floor was constructed despite a prior work stoppage order from DOLE for severe safety violations. Yet under current law, the worst that happens to employers is a fine. Workers die, and companies pay a penalty. This is unacceptable.”
Tinio pointed out that the tragedy reflects a systemic failure: with only 532 labor inspectors for over 1.2 million establishments in 2024, the Department of Labor and Employment inspected just 15 percent of companies. Meanwhile, work-related deaths and injuries continue to mountโ369 deaths and 516 injuries in 2025 alone, with construction accounting for the majority.
“Eight years after the OSH Standards Law was enacted, it has failed to truly protect workers,” Tinio said. “Employers continue to violate safety standards because the penalties are too light. They calculate that fines are cheaper than compliance. We need to change this calculus by making OSH violations criminal offenses.”
Tinio emphasized that the current system places the burden entirely on workers, who risk their lives while employers face minimal consequences for negligence.
“Ang buhay ng manggagawa ay hindi dapat maging kolateral. Hindi dapat ang kaligtasan ay naipapalit lamang sa multa na mababayaran ng negosyante,” Tinio said. “Kailangan nating gawing krimen ang pagkabigo ng mga employer na protektahan ang kanilang mga manggagawa. Kung may kamatayan, dapat may kasalanan at parusa.”
The resolution calls for a comprehensive review of RA 11058 to establish clear duties, responsibilities, and criminal accountability for both DOLE and employers, ensuring that workplace tragedies result in criminal prosecution rather than mere administrative penalties.
“We owe it to the 30 workers who died in Angeles City to transform this tragedy into lasting protection for all workers,” Tinio said. “No more fines. No more impunity. Workers deserve criminal justice when employers choose profit over their safety.” Tinio concluded.#
