by Tara Yap, Manila Bulletin, 12 Jul 2020
ILOILO CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-6) started its own probe on probable safety violations when a damaged power barge triggered an oil spill that affected mostly coastal communities in Iloilo City.
DOLE Western Visayas Director Cyril Ticao led the ocular inspection of the power barge owned by AC Energy Philippines.
“We strongly expect the barge owner [AC Energy] to cooperate with us,” Ticao said.
DOLE’s inspection team focused its probe based on what was stipulated in Republic Act No. 11058 or the new Occupational Safety and Health (OSH Law).
This was after bunker fuel leaked from Power Barge 102 last July 3 when its hull was torn by an explosion. The oil spill has spread to several coastal areas in nearby towns of Guimaras and Iloilo provinces.
An initial probe conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) found that acetylene torch was used inside one of the power barge’s tanks where repair work was being done, and this allegedly ignited flammable fumes.
Ticao also said DOLE inspectors were also looking into complaints of alleged lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) among newly-hired workers for the cleanup operations in retrieving bunker fuel.
While Ticao cautioned it was still early to reach a conclusion, he urged AC Energy to reassess its own occupational and safety policies.
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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