Urdaneta Philippines Temple Project Celebrates 2 Million Man-Hours Without Lost Time Injury

Around 800 construction workers gathered on the site of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple on Monday, 15 March 2021, to celebrate 2 million safe man-hours without lost-time injury. The event was organized by Haskell Philippines, the general contractor of the temple, in appreciation of the workers in this significant milestone.

Elder Taniela Wakolo of the Philippines Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with local church leaders attended the event and were joined by Randy Patterson, Haskell Project Manager; Arwin Manalo, Project Manager from the Church; and Jeffrey Acosta, Safety Manager for the Urdaneta Temple project.

Elder Wakolo addressed the workers and taught on the value of the edifice to members of the Church. "The temple is the house of God, and within it, sacred ordinances are performed. We know that families can be together forever because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These wonderful blessings are available to all," he said.

When asked in an interview as to why the construction of the temple continues despite the pandemic, Elder Wakolo said, “This is clear evidence that nothing will stop the work. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. The truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independently until the Great Jehovah shall say The work is done."

He also stressed the importance of the temple in the lives of Latter-day Saints. "Isn’t it a great thing that members of the Church look up to the temple as a beacon of hope? It’ll bless many lives as they look at the house of the Lord, focusing their lives and their families towards the Savior Jesus," he concluded.

During the celebration, Acosta commended everyone’s focus, determination, and commitment to following the safety procedures. He also shared that they were making programs and conducting training that encouraged obedience to safety protocols in the construction site.

Manalo told workers how much the Church of Jesus Christ cares for them by highlighting that in every meeting that he regularly attends, the safety of the workers has always been the first on their agenda.

Meanwhile, Patterson extended his gratitude to the workers on behalf of Haskell for their diligence and commitment in creating a safe workplace. In an interview, he said that this is a huge milestone for Haskell as they always put the safety of the workers first, and quality second. 

About the Temple

The Urdaneta Philippines Temple will become the third temple in operation in the Philippines, following the Manila Philippines Temple (1984) and the Cebu City Philippines Temple (2010).

Located approximately 100 miles north of Manila on the island of Luzon, the Urdaneta Philippines Temple will help serve over 100 stakes and districts (dioceses) currently served by the Manila Philippines Temple.