Seven employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-6) were rescued after being trapped for more than an hour inside a malfunctioning elevator at the agency’s regional office in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
DILG-6 Regional Director Juan Ingeniero said the incident occurred at around 6:55 p.m. on Jan. 29 while the employees were attending a mandatory training at the regional office in Barangay Bolong Oeste.
The employees—aged between 20 and 30—were riding the elevator from the ground floor to the third level of the building when the unit suddenly stalled, Ingeniero said.
Upon receiving a report from the administration, the agency immediately sought assistance from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), which promptly responded and assessed the situation.
Firefighters conducted a rescue operation and safely extricated all seven employees at around 8 p.m., according to Ingeniero.
None of the victims sustained physical injuries, but they were given medical examinations and psychological first aid as a precaution.
Ingeniero said the elevator has a maximum capacity of eight persons, noting that the occupants did not exceed the allowable limit at the time of the incident.
Following the malfunction, the DILG-6 management summoned the building’s contractor to conduct a full inspection and assessment of the elevator and its entire operating system.
The regional office also announced plans to conduct emergency response training for guards, employees, and staff to ensure proper handling of similar situations in the future.
Rescue equipment in the building, including high ladders and other emergency tools, will also be completed to strengthen safety measures.
The DILG-6 building was turned over in May 2025 and remains under warranty, Ingeniero said, prompting the agency to formally call the contractor’s attention over the incident.IMT
