The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has upheld a P11.49-million liability against Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corporation and Ernest Jackson Lim over unpaid worker benefits and serious occupational safety and health (OSH) violations linked to a nine-story building that collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The liability includes P1.17 million in unpaid wages and other worker benefits, including wages withheld during a Work Stoppage Order (WSO), underpaid wages, rest day premiums and holiday pay. A further P10.32 million was imposed in administrative fines for OSH violations.
The Resolution, signed by Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino on 17 August 2026, modified DOLE’s earlier 16 June 2026 Order after granting a Motion for Reconsideration filed by John John Dogos Placidas, Michael Dogos Placidas and Alfredo Aibis Balute.
DOLE found the workers’ claims to be meritorious, including their entitlement to rest day premiums and unpaid wages during the implementation of the WSO from 16 to 24 October 2025. The finding increased the monetary award due to affected workers.
The labour department also affirmed the P10.32 million in administrative fines for continuing OSH violations that existed before the building collapse.
Among the violations identified were the failure to provide personal protective equipment, obtain the required permits for mechanical lifting equipment, deploy mandated safety officers and first aiders, and provide temporary accommodation for workers.
The violations were compounded by the submission of fake and invalid certificates for the project’s designated first aider and safety officer, according to DOLE.
The department said the records demonstrated a pattern of persistent and willful non-compliance with workplace safety standards. It found that workers were exposed to risks of serious injury or death despite previous enforcement action and sufficient notice of the deficiencies.
The respondents’ claims that they had been denied due process were also rejected. DOLE said the records showed that the parties had been properly notified and given reasonable opportunities to explain their positions and submit supporting evidence.
The labour department stressed that compliance with OSH standards is a continuing legal obligation, requiring employers to maintain safe working conditions throughout their operations. It therefore found the administrative fines justified.
The respondents have been ordered to pay the monetary award and administrative fines within 10 days of receiving the Resolution.
DOLE said the action forms part of its continuing enforcement of labour laws and efforts to hold employers accountable for violations while strengthening workers’ rights, welfare and workplace safety.