SMC gives P20 million aid to Skyway victims

MANILA, Philippines — The victims of the freak accident at the construction site of the Skyway Extension project in Muntinlupa have received a total of P20 million in assistance from San Miguel Corp. (SMC) president Ramon Ang.

SMC is the concession holder of the Skyway, which is among the priority projects of the government.

The accident was caused by a crane that tipped over and hit a steel girder that fell on six vehicles along East Service Road in Barangay Cupang last month.

Motorcycle rider Edison Paquibot died in the accident. Eight others were injured.

Ang said the SMC would give livelihood assistance to Paquibot’s wife and shoulder the education of his four-year-old daughter.

“I promised to take care of his family, especially his daughter’s education until she finishes college,” Ang said in a statement.

He also vowed to continue helping the other victims of the accident.

The Department of Labor and Employment has lifted the work stoppage order issued on Skyway to allow the contractor to finish the project, which was set for completion this month.

The Muntinlupa government has filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, damage to property and multiple physical injuries against the crane operator.