DILG orders inspection in schools, dormitories

CEBU, Philippines – Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered fire officials across the country to conduct an honest-to-goodness inspection in all schools and dormitories to ensure the safety of students.

During the previous inspections in some schools in Cebu City, it was found out that many schools were not complying with the Fire Safety Code.

Fire inspectors were ordered to intensify the inspection of schools, universities, students’ dormitories and commercial establishments to ensure strict compliance with fire safety regulations and standards.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, who chaired the City Council committee on education, also asked school officials to see to it that fire safety standards are complied with in schools.

In his order to the fire inspectors, Puno said the owner of establishments found without the mandatory fire safety requirements must be criminally charged in court.

Fire inspectors said the most common violations and deficiencies of establishments are the lack of secondary exit, wet standpipe system, standard fire exit and extension of fire escape to the ground floor.

Other violations are the absence of manual fire alarm, lack of smoke and heat detector, and inadequate battery operated emergency lights.

Owners of establishments are allowed to correct these deficiencies for a period of 60 days. – Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)