Govt to intenstify factory inspections after Valenzuela fire – Palace

The government will step up efforts to ensure that business establishments observe safety standards following the fire at a slipper warehouse in Valenzuela City that killed over 70 people, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. expressed sadness over the incident, and pledged to extend assistance to families of workers who perished in the fire.

“Government is firmly determined to intensify inspection of factories to ensure strict compliance with occupational safety and health standards and prevent a repetition of the fire and similar disasters that pose grave danger to the safety and lives of Filipino workers,” Coloma said.

President Benigno Aquino III had also earlier directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to make sure that labor law standards are being followed in the country, according to the Palace official.

At least 72 individuals have been confirmed dead in a fire that razed a factory in Valenzuela owned by Kentex Manufacturing, Inc.

Citing information from DOLE, Coloma said Kentex “was assessed to have been compliant with occupational safety requirements.”

He however said that the DOLE and the Bureau of Fire Protection will undertake efforts to “ascertain if there had been violations of safety regulations so that proper accountability may be established.” — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News

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