San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has pushed back the target completion date of the Skyway Extension project following the incident in Cupang, Muntinlupa.
In a statement, the conglomerate said that after initial assessment, the mishap sets back the project’s completion date from December 2020 to February 2021.
Last Saturday, a steel girder of the Skyway Extension project fell along the East Service Road in Muntinlupa City. The incident killed one person and injured four others.
According to a report from the police, one of the victims, who was riding a motorcycle when the the accident occured, was declared dead on arrival at the Alabang Medical Clinic.
EEI Corp, the project contractor, said in a statement that they are “monitoring the progress of the injured and are trying to get in touch with their next of kin for proper coordination and to extend any assistance they may need. Our hearts and prayers go with the affected families.”
“This is an unfortunate and heartbreaking accident that must not happen again,” it added.
The accident also damaged a taxi, a light truck, a sport utility and four motorcycles, according to police.
Meanwhile, SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang issued an apology to the victims and assured them that the company would make sure all their needs would be taken care of, and more.
Ang said that even while project contractor EEI Corporation was the one handling the construction of the project, as project proponent, SMC has a responsibility to take care of the victims.
“Even with a contractor handling construction, ultimately, we are responsible for the welfare of those who were affected. I would like to personally apologize to the victims and their families, as well as to our larger community in Muntinlupa,” Ang said.
He added: “This terrible and tragic accident has affected me in ways I can’t even begin to express. I have not stopped thinking about the people who were affected, the four that were injured and most especially, the person who perished, and his family. There are no words that can ease the grief of losing a loved one.”
“To the family, I can only offer my sincerest and deepest condolences, and my personal assurance that your family will be taken care of. To those who were injured, please be assured we will provide all the means necessary for you to recover and restart,” Ang said.
Ang also vowed that the incident will be investigated thoroughly, and that SMC and its contractor EEI will make sure even stricter measures are in place at the project site.