Manila set to close down dorms with major defects

The local government of Manila is set to close down at least six of the more than 100 dormitories that were found to have major deficiencies.

Louie Matimtim, overall head of City Hall’s committee on dormitories, said after five months of inspections, just a little less than half of the 230 registered dormitories have been given notices because of major and minor deficiencies.

They are scheduled to shut down the first batch of boarding houses found to have major defects, including the lack of fire exits and fire suppression equipment. Some dormitories were found to be dilapidated while others had dangling electrical wires.

Matimtim said they advised owners and operators of the dorms to comply with the standard safety regulations set for dormitories. They have been given time — ranging from a week to two months, depending on the gravity of their deficiencies — to remedy the situation.

Minor defects include the absence proper ventilation and the presence of obstructions along the hallways and exits.

"Those with minor violations will not be suspended. We are just calling their attention to the defects," he said.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza ordered the inspection of all boarding houses and dormitories operating in the city so they can comply with safety rules and building regulations or face immediate closure.

In a related development, Atienza ordered Manila Division of City Schools Superintendent Ma. Luisa Quiñones to require all school principals to conduct ocular inspections of respective schools and "to do what needs to be done" to ensure that facilities and equipment are in good condition when public school students return to their classrooms.

The mayor instructed Quiñones to pay particular attention to toilets and make sure schools have adequate water supply in order to preserve public hygiene. Breeding places of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects must also be cleaned out for the safety of the students and the teachers as well.