Men at Work
When construction projects resumed after the lockdown, MDC set up safe living spaces to protect over ten thousand workers from the spread of the virus. Darwin Salipsip tells the story
Words by RHYS BUCCAT
“Better days will come, and we shall return to our previous momentum,” said Darwin Salipsip, group head for operations of Makati Development Corporation (MDC).
With almost three decades of experience in the construction industry, this veteran engineer has helped shape Metro Manila’s skyline. His notable projects include the 36-storey Regency at Salcedo and the $119-million US Embassy expansion project. This guy knows when to wait and when to get his hands dirty.
Darwin Salipsip
“You cannot build something while there’s a storm,” he said. “For now, we prioritize certain projects. The rest will have to wait.”
With the implementation of the Luzon-wide lockdown, everything had to stop. MDC’s over 40,000 skilled workers had to be sent home for their own safety. Each worker was given two week’s worth of salary to get by until the government decided to implement a more relaxed community quarantine on May 16.
“You can only imagine how many families will be affected if these workers cannot work,” Darwin added. “For sure, may mga pinapaaral ang mga ‘yan.”
Support structures. Worker safety and well-being has always been a priority for MDC. During the lockdown that changed from supplying hardhats to creating a financial safety net and guidelines for safe re-entry.
Partnering with government
Prior to reopening construction sites, MDC and its parent company Ayala Land had a rigorous discussion with the government to set the guidelines for safe workforce re-entry. Simultaneously, MDC also began triaging workers for COVID-19 to ensure that they completed a 14-day quarantine period or underwent testing before they were permitted to work again. Only workers aged 21 to 59 years old were eligible for re-entry; special permits had to be secured for skilled workers above 60 years old.
Upon receiving clear guidelines from the government, MDC began implementing strict health measures in its construction sites. And because most skilled workers come from the provinces, they decided that it was safer for workers—laborers, carpenters, and even engineers—to live in safety bubbles within the project’s vicinity.
Sheltered. Construction workers and engineers who had to work on critical projects during the lockdown were sheltered in barracks—such as Loyd Villanueva, who led the conversion of the World Trade Center into a testing facility. Barracks like these will now be part of the new normal for the construction industry. (Read more in “Building a Better Future.”)
MDC built well-ventilated barracks with proper bed spacing of 2.4 meters. Each barrack is equipped with shower, toilet, and laundry areas, as well as hand washing booths to ensure hygiene. The areas are frequently cleaned and disinfected. An environment, health, and safety officer also regularly checks if masks and face shields are worn properly and if physical distancing is observed.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the site. Deliveries are allowed, but everything has to be sanitized before it enters the barracks. To avoid unnecessary trips outside, MDC assigns a person to handle remittance or “pera padala” of each worker during payday.
To combat stress, boredom and loneliness, the facility also has entertainment and leisure areas. Workers can charge their gadgets, connect to the Wi-Fi, and play non-contact sports like table tennis.
““What we’re doing now is continuously finding ways to make their barracks as comfortable and homey as possible.””
Darwin said their human resources team also regularly conducts interviews with the workers to identify their needs. “So far so good. They are happy. What we’re doing now is continuously finding ways to make their barracks as comfortable and homey as possible,” he added.
Weathering the storm
According to Darwin, the construction industry employs more than 4.2 million Filipinos or 10% of the population’s total workforce. He said they’re thankful that the government recognizes the impact of construction on the economy.
In the context of the construction industry, the current times are reminiscent of the 2007 to 2008 financial crisis, said Darwin. During the financial crisis, many projects had to stop, and they had to focus on streamlining their strategy and goals. Darwin said they were also able to digitize most of their administrative work.
“Office” dress code. Darwin and his team suit up for work in masks, face shields, hard hats, and coveralls.
Keeping their workers in safe work and living environments is crucial for work continuity and for stalling the spread of the virus. If just one worker is infected, hundreds could be exposed and infected. Such a large number could multiply quickly causing work stoppage and loss of daily wages.
“We already lost a good first half of the year,” he added. “But our clients won’t have to worry. Ayala Land never leaves its customers. Lahat ng projects, tatapusin natin. It’s just a matter of time. Just be patient.”
In July, all MDC projects in 23 different sites resumed construction. To support their workers, safe livable spaces for a staggering 10,000 occupants were provided, all within short distance from project sites.
The most important realization, according to Darwin, is the importance of keeping skilled workers safe by embracing the New Normal. MDC and Ayala Land might have achieved some level of automation in the construction industry, but nothing beats the precision and dedication of Filipino construction workers who have been with them for decades. As he said, better days will come; but for now, they will shelter together in bubble barracks for the safety of all.#
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
