Caloocan RTC buildings ordered closed

The Caloocan City fire department yesterday ordered the imminent closure of the two buildings housing the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) after they were found to have numerous violations of the fire safety and building codes.

"They have (committed) all the mortal sins of a building, so to speak," Chief inspector Agapito Nacario, city fire marshal, told The STAR.

The owners of the Aurelio Building and Senato Investment Building were given a 60-day grace period to comply with the safety measures.

"Failure to do so would mean the immediate closure of the buildings," Nacario said.

Among the "sins" of the Aurelio Building that houses the City Prosecutor’s Office, Office of the RTC Clerk of Courts, and RTC branches 120, 21, 22, 123, 127, and 130 are the lack of an automatic fire suppression system, stand pipe system, window openings, and exit plans in the rooms, Nacario said. The fire alarm system was also discovered defective. Fire exits are obstructed, while escape doors do not swing out, like that of the Ozone Disco which burned down in 1996, killing more than a hundred young party-goers.

The six-story, 30-year-old building located on 9th Avenue corner Rizal Extension Avenue is reportedly owned by a certain Lina Aurelio. It also houses the Manila Montessori College and more offices of the Caloocan City government.

The 25-year-old Senato Building, the owner of which is represented by a certain Nora Ocampo, was also found to have similar violations.

The four-story building located on 12th Avenue cor. Rizal Avenue Ext. houses RTC branches 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, and 131, as well as the Lorraine Technological School.

"The buildings need complete rehabilitation. They can almost be considered condemned," said Nacario, who along with city hall officials on Thursday inspected the buildings.

RTC Acting Executive Judge Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal earlier urged the local fire department and city engineer’s office to conduct a thorough inspection of the buildings to determine if they meet fire safety standards. Aside from the safety of the occupants, Vidal also expressed concern over the voluminous court records of the cases handled by the RTC. – Nikko Dizon