Fire safety measure OK’d on 2nd reading

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council has approved on second reading a proposed ordinance requiring lodging houses, boarding houses, apartments, rooms for rent, and similar residential rentals in the city to provide at least one fire extinguisher in every rented room.

The proposed measure, authored by Councilor Carlo Fortuna, was endorsed through Committee Report No. 17-52-2026, jointly submitted by the committees on Laws and Ordinances; Police, Fire and Penology; Planning, Development and Socialized Housing; and Public Works and Infrastructure.

It would require owners, operators, administrators, and landlords or landladies of residential rental properties to provide a fire extinguisher inside every individual room rented or leased to occupants.

“Whether you are an inn or lodging house, or an informal house rental dapat naa gyuy fire extinguisher kada kwarto,” Fortuna said in an interview.

Fortuna said the measure is intended to prevent fires from spreading and allow occupants to immediately suppress a fire in their rented rooms if one breaks out.

He added that regardless of whether the rental property is a large or small enterprise, a fire extinguisher would be required in every room.

“Ang gi-suggest and recommend gyud nato, to protect also your business kay negosyo man gyud siya inkaso og masunog ang usa ka kwarto, madamay man gyud na ang tibuok balay,” Fortuna said, stressing the importance of having a fire extinguisher.

He recalled that the recent fires in barangays Subangdaku and Maguikay involved rental properties.

“From sunog sa usa ka kwarto hurot gyud ang tibuok paabangan,” he said.

He added that the proposed ordinance is intended as a preventive measure to protect businesses and suppress fires before they spread.

The councilor acknowledged that fire response operations may take some time, especially when rental properties are located along narrow or congested passageways, which could delay rescue efforts.

“Mas maayo nga diha-diha dayon dunay fire suppression equipment which is ang fire extinguisher,” Fortuna said.

The proposed ordinance, titled the “Mandaue City Residential Rental Fire Safety Ordinance,” aims to supplement the Fire Code of the Philippines by requiring room-level fire suppression measures.

Under the proposal, the requirement would apply to both newly registered and existing residential accommodations, separate from the existing requirement for fire extinguishers in common hallways and corridors.

The fire extinguishers must be at least ABC dry chemical type, or a Bureau of Fire Protection-approved clean-agent equivalent, with a minimum capacity of five pounds or approximately 2.27 kilograms.

The units must be securely mounted on wall brackets at an accessible height, at least four inches above the ground, and must be clearly visible and free from obstruction.

Owners or landlords would also be responsible for ensuring that the extinguishers are fully charged, unexpired, and inspected annually. Instructional signage, including the PASS method — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep — must also be visible.

The proposal defines formal residential accommodations as legally registered lodging houses, boarding houses, apartments, dormitories, and short-term rentals with valid mayor’s or business permits and Fire Safety Inspection Certificates.

It also covers informal residential rentals, or properties and portions of residences offered for rent to tenants or bedspacers without the required business registration, mayor’s permit, or occupancy permits.

The BFP-Mandaue City would provide technical guidelines, ensure that the extinguishers meet standards, and conduct safety inspections. Barangays would serve as the primary ground enforcement arm through barangay public safety officers or designated Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel.

Violators could face a fine of up to P5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one month upon conviction.

The proposal also states that for corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, or associations, the president, manager, administrator, or person in charge of the business would be held criminally responsible for violations. (CEBU NEWS)