Press Release
February 19, 2018

Senator Joel Villanueva's speech on the passage of bill strengthening occupational safety and health standards

Mr. President, we passed the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Bill on third and final reading because we are the people's Senate - a Senate who cares for ordinary Filipinos, especially workers.

December 23, 2017, isang araw bago mag-bisperas ng Pasko noong isang taon, gumimbal po sa buong bansa ang sunog na lumamon sa ikatlong palapag ng NCCC Mall sa Davao City. Sa ikaapat na palapag, naroon po ang mga empleyado ng Survey Sampling International o SSI na isang BPO Company.

Mabilis na kumalat ang apoy. Makapal at nakasusulasok ang maitim na usok. Tatlumpo't pitong mga call center agent ng SSI ang hindi na nakalabas, nakulong sa mga toilet at locker room, at binawian ng buhay.

37 workers died on that fateful day. 37 families grieved on Christmas Day.

All because of the absence of a functioning sprinkler system and fire exits. All because of the reckless disregard for the lives and safety of our workers. All because of the absence of a comprehensive workplace safety law.

Kasama po sa mga namatay sa sunog si Maryjoy Hope Adriano-Daluro, Quality Assurance Manager ng SSI. Panganay sa dalawang magkapatid. Breadwinner ng pamilya. Anim na buwan pa lang na kasal sa asawang si Chad Daluro at nagsisimula pa lang ng bagong pamilya.

Mr. President, I personally know Maryjoy because while his father was pastoring the International Baptist Church of Singapore, Maryjoy served as Music Director and Worship Leader at the Jesus Is Lord Church, Matina Chapter. She was also a member of the Kristiyanong Kabataan Para sa Bayan Movement or KKB.

Alam ko po kung gaano kasakit hanggang ngayon sa kanyang mga magulang, kapatid at asawa ang sinapit ni Mary Joy --- a youth leader who until the end made a difference and together with the other fire victims, I believe, greatly inspired the passage of this bill today.

Mr. President, her death would not be in vain. Those who perished in more than 200 fatal workplace accidents since 2014 would not be in vain.

Katumbas po ng pagsuporta natin sa SB 1317 ang pagkilala sa ating mga manggagawang nagbuwis ng buhay at nagdala sa atin sa makasaysayang araw na ito:

Sa limang manggagawang namatay sa sunog sa House Technology Industry Factory sa Cavite noong February 2017;

Sa 72 mangagawang nagbuwis ng buhay sa sunog na lumamon sa Kentex Factory noong May 2015;

Sa siyam na mangagawang nalibing ng buhay sa pagguho ng open pit coal mine ng Semirara Mining Corporation sa Caluya, Antique noong July 2015.

Marami pa pong iba, Mr. President. Subalit ang deka-dekadang peligro at disgrasyang kumitil sa buhay ng ating mga manggagawa, ngayon po ay matutuldukan na.

Today, we stand up for safety. Today, we stand up for our workers' rights. Today, we stand up for the lives of each and every single Filipino who toils to give his or her family and loved ones a better life.

Mr. President, I hope that the people who love Maryjoy Daluro and other victims of workplace accidents in this country will find a little comfort in knowing that we care, that we have passed Senate Bill 1317 on third and final reading.

Muli, tagumpay po ito ng manggagawang Filipino.

Marami pong salamat. God bless us all.

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