Another worker injured in the Oct. 31 fire at the Pagbilao coal-fired power plant in Quezon province has died, bringing the death toll from the incident to three, the Pagbilao Energy Corporation (PEC) announced on Thursday.
‘PEC deeply regrets the passing of Alvin Subeldia this morning at The Medical City in Pasig. Surrounded by the care of his doctors and the love of his family, Alvin fought bravely until the end,’ the company said in a statement written in Filipino and sent to the Inquirer.
‘Losing a member of our team is an indescribable pain. No words can fully express the sadness we feel. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,’ PEC added.
Subeldia, a contractor under the Kapit-Bisig Ugnayan Multi-purpose Cooperative, was one of the workers injured when a fire of still undetermined origin broke out at Unit 3 of the power plant facility in Barangay Ibabang Polo, facing Tayabas Bay.
‘At this time, our utmost priority is to assist Alvin’s family. PEC continues to provide full support to them-emotionally, financially, and through post-mortem assistance,’ the company vowed.
The blaze initially killed one worker on the spot and injured nine others. On Nov. 6, another worker, Michael Castillo of the PEC operations team, also succumbed to his injuries while being treated at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City.
Of the seven remaining injured workers, two have been discharged while five continue to receive specialized medical treatment, according to PEC.’Their recovery remains our top priority,’ PEC said.
The company did not disclose further details on the condition of the remaining patients or the hospitals where they are confined.
Following the incident, the Department of Labor and Employment issued a Work Stoppage Order for Unit 3 on Nov. 7.
‘We have fully complied with this order and voluntarily suspended operations at the affected unit following the incident,’ PEC said, adding that ‘all employees-including contractor partners-will continue to receive their salaries and full benefits’ despite the suspension.
PEC said it is cooperating fully with the Bureau of Fire Protection, which is still investigating the cause of the blaze.
‘We are ready to accept, with full transparency and sincerity, whatever recommendations or findings may arise from these investigations,’ the company said.
Pagbilao Unit 3 remains on forced outage, while Units 1 and 2 continue normal operations.
The 735-megawatt Pagbilao coal-fired power facility supplies electricity to the Luzon grid.
Aboitiz Power’s Therma Luzon Inc. currently operates the plant following its transfer from TeaM Energy to the government last August.