54 buildings in NCR firetraps

Fifty four more buildings in the National Capital Region, 11 of which are hospitals, have been recommended for closure by the Bureau of Fire Protection due to various construction defects.

This was disclosed during a hearing by the Senate committee on local government on the Quezon City Manor Hotel tragedy last Aug. 18, which caused the deaths of more than 70 occupants. The 54 are in addition to the more than 100 buildings listed for closure on Feb. 1, 1999, including Manor Hotel, due to deficiencies.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina said the list was forwarded to the office of then Mayor Ishmael Mathay and other concerned officials of Quezon City and so they should have known that the ill-fated hotel had many building violations along with 25 other establishments in the area. The buildings and establishments recommended for closure if they fail to correct their deficiencies are the following:

In Manila: Dr. Jose Fabella Hospital, Tondo Medical Center, Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo, Ospital ng Sampaloc, San Lazaro Hospital and Philippine General Hospital. In Navotas: Holy Child Montessori. In Valenzuela: Lacson Building. In Makati City: Parc House II, Goodwill Building, Oppen Building, City Land III Building, Erlag Building, Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Carson Building, Philgrim Building Ritz Tower, Travellers Inn, Urban Bank Plaza,Twin Cities Condo, 1st-E-Bank Condo Corp., ITC Building, Emmanuel House, Campos Rueda Building, National Development Company, Metro Manila Development Authority Building and City Garden Hotel. In Las Piñas: House of the Living Rock Apartelle In Parañaque: AMA Computer, Prime Work Machine Shop, Sky Trek, Star Fleet, Red Flower Garments, Miss Show Girl, Crown Bay Tower, VM Tower, Draco Building, EDAR Building and 8414 Building.

In Marikina: Maranatha Christian Academy.

In Pasig: Philcomcen Building and Cardinal Santos Medical Center

In Pateros: Pateros Municipal Hall and Pateros Cockpit Arena

In Mandaluyong: Securities and Exchange Commission, City Trust Building, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Building, Polymedic Hospital, Wack Wack Condo Corp., Court Felicidad and Jovan Building.

A task force formed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government is validating the list to determine if these buildings and establishments pose "clear and present danger" to the public.

Owners of the buildings and establishments are also given notices to correct the defects within 60 to 90 days.

The Senate inquiry also seeks to determine the amendments that can be done to the Local Government Code with respect to fire protection services.

Lina suggested that amendments also be made in the Revised Penal Code imposing stiffer penalties for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and deaths like what happened in the Ozone Disco also in Quezon City.

Under the current law, the punishment for those responsible for fire tragedies in commercial buildings and establishments is six months to six years in prison and a fine of up to P20,000 only.

Lina said the penalty should be one to 20 years and a fine of up to P100,000.

And instead of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and deaths, murder charges should be filed against the owners since "intent to kill" is presumed when they get notices to correct their buildings and establishments but fail to do so, Lina averred.

The Secretary said murder could be punishable by reclusion perpetua and such stiffer laws could discourage the building owners from disregarding the defects in their properties.