DILG to BFP: Impose fire safety requirements

CEBU, Philippines - If fire officials strictly enforce the provisions of the Fire Safety Code as ordered by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, many commercial establishments in Cebu City will be closed, unless owners will correct deficiencies.

Robredo ordered local offices of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to intensify the conduct of fire safety inspections in commercial establishments and schools.

“Ensuring public safety is a policy of the state and a mandate of this department to which we adhere to the highest degree,” Robredo said in his memorandum to regional, provincial, city and municipal fire marshals.

Robredo received reports that some establishments were granted Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) by fire officials despite failure to comply with fire safety requirements.

“You are hereby ordered to strictly enforce the law as provided for under Republic Act 9514 and its implementing rules on the matter of fire safety inspection and issuance of the FSIC and other clearances,” Robredo said.

The FREEMAN asked Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar on the possibility of closing commercial establishments during enforcement of the order and he said, “Ana gyud.” (That’s a possibility.)

Robredo reminded the fire marshals to ensure that inspections are conducted.

Fire marshals are required to submit accomplishment reports to their respective superiors, send notices of violations to concerned establishment owners and require them to comply with the law.

Robredo said the fire marshals should also notify the local chief executives of the violators and recommend that business permits be revoked, or not to issue permits for occupancy and permit to operate.

For residential, storage, health care and public assembly occupancy, the requirement is to inspect them twice a year.

Earlier, the Cebu City Council urged barangay officials to create teams of inspectors within their respective territories to conduct an inventory of boarding and lodging houses.

The Bureau of Fire in Cebu City only has around 20 fire inspectors who could not inspect all business establishments in the city. –  (FREEMAN)