Human error, mechanical failure eyed in Pasay crane accident

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to investigate the collapse of a bridge girder launcher at the 1.6-kilometer Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway project in Pasay City.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the accident could have been caused by a mechanical problem or human error.

“Reports said that the operator of the girder launcher had switched off its engine but it continued to move and fell on passing vehicles,” Tolentino said.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said they are looking at human error or mechanical failure as the cause of the accident.

The incident caused monstrous traffic jams in the area after the crane fell on eight vehicles the other day.

Although construction work on the four–lane elevated expressway is on a 24-hour schedule, MMDA traffic engineering center head Noemi Recio said work involving the use of bridge girder launchers should only be done between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

He said a supervisor from DMCI Holdings, which is the project contractor, told the MMDA that they were readying the girder launcher when it collapsed Monday afternoon.

Tolentino said work on the NAIA Expressway would still continue. But there would be no work at the accident site unless there is prior coordination with the MMDA.

The DPWH has yet to remove the girder launcher at the site, he said.

Tolentino advised motorists to bear with heavy traffic in the area as the work on the NAIA Expressway could be delayed by one month.

The expressway is set to be opened to motorists by October in time for Manila’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November.

Once completed, the NAIA Expressway will run from the Metro Manila Skyway to Andrews Avenue near the NAIA Terminal 3.

The elevated expressway project, which is divided into four packages, is touted as the first airport expressway in the country. Construction of the project began in January. 

– Mike Frialde, Evelyn Macairan