Safety engineers relieved from post

CEBU, Philippines - Three engineers who work as fire safety inspectors of the Cebu City Fire Station were relieved of their posts one day after Fire Marshall Aderson Comar requested the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas last Monday to investigate them for alleged illegal activity.

The three were transferred to different fire stations in the city with no specific work assignments.

Comar said Engr. Ronnie Magalang has been relieved as head of the Fire Safety Enforcement Section and reassigned to the Pardo Fire Station. Senior Fire Officer-2 Rogelio Baran has been designated to assume Magalang’s post.

Meanwhile, Engineers Roy Arellano and Primo Zabala Jr. were transferred to the Talamban Fire Station and Lahug Fire Station, respectively.

Comar earlier requested the anti-graft body to look into the alleged questionable activities of some personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection, particularly the three engineers who inspected a newly-constructed establishment at IT Park and recommended that it would be issued a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) despite its failure to comply with requirements.

Magalang, for his part, denied involvement in the alleged questionable activity Comar stipulated in his complaint. He said that even if he had not signed any document for the issuance of FSIC to Aegis People Support, “in my opinion the building deserves to be given such certificate.”

Josefa Ylanan, head of the city’s Office of the Building Official (OBO), said her office did not issue an occupancy permit for the building just yet even after recommendation of the three engineers and approval by Fire Marshall Esmael Codilla.

Magalang said he is baffled why Comar is running after Arellano and Zabala whom he said have showed an “impressive performance” during their stint as fire inspectors. Magalang said they will fight it out to clear their names before the Ombudsman.

“Definitely, ma-clear kami d’yan,” Magalang said. “Tan-awon nato kay gusto man kaha sila’g gubat, tinud-on nako sila,” Comar told The FREEMAN.

He also questioned the actuations of Fire Regional Director Maria Luisa Hadjula who designated Magalang as head of the Fire Safety and Enforcement Section of the Cebu City Fire Station without informing him.

Comar explained that although Hadjula is the regional director, it is reportedly him who has the power to designate his personnel to specific work assignments. — (FREEMAN)