Safety group airs concern over Robredo fire policy

THE Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOP) over the weekend expressed opposition and concern over a recent memorandum issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on the “rushed” submission of fire and safety assessment of newly constructed buildings in the country. The group said that the policy change initiated by Robredo goes against the Fire Code of the Philippines, or Republic Act 9514, which states that all establishments must undergo fire and life safety assessment at least three times before being granted an occupancy and building permit.

But with the issuance of the new policy, the Interior secretary cancelled all inspections made and ordered that evaluation made by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was no longer required.

Instead, fire marshals from local fire bureaus will be the ones responsible for issuing safety certification, SOP said.

The group added that the new set up gives no transparency and could leave open doors for possible irregularities.

It said that the new policy was just made and passed to the office of Robredo by some allegedly corrupt officials in the BFP.

The group also alleged that the memorandum would benefit only corrupt fire marshals and other local fire chiefs, particularly those in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila).

Recently, the Fire Protection bureau issued a separate policy that also goes against the fire code, barring other bureau officials who are not engineers or architects from conducting inspections.

“They are simply making business with building inspections. We just hope that Secretary Robredo can find time to review his memorandum and make these people explain why they are pushing for such, which is against the law,” the safety group said in a statement. –JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ REPORTER, Manila Times