Inspection teams to be dispatched to factories

MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of inspection teams from local government units and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will inspect factories in Metro Manila to enforce safety standards and prevent tragedies similar to the slippers factory fire that killed 72 people in Valenzuela last month.

The teams were created as Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II met with Metro Manila mayors and other local government officials yesterday afternoon in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“Starting on Monday, there will be abbreviated inspection, wherein inspection teams will check existence of automatic sprinklers, fire exits, so on and so forth. In a month the inspection will be completed,” Roxas told reporters during a briefing after the meeting with the mayors.

Roxas initiated the meeting in compliance with the directive of President Aquino to ensure safety of factory workers and prevent similar diasters like the fire at the Kentex Manufacturing Corp. in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela last May 13.

“Thousands are working in these factories so we have to work together to protect them,” Roxas added.

The DILG chief said local government units (LGUs) and the BFP would conduct inspection of over 300,000 factories, though about 10,000 of them are in the priority list for being “high risk” or suspected firetraps.

Roxas said the inspection would also determine presence of toxic or flammable materials in manufacturing areas.

After the inspection of factories, Roxas said the LGUs and BFP would conduct similar inspection in boarding houses and other establishments.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who was present during the meeting, said 67 to 70 teams were created in the city to cover the inspection of all the factories, which are considered “high risk” and “high dense.”

Roxas was quick to clarify the inspection was not meant to close down factories and establishments and make the situation difficult for factory owners and workers, but to promote safety.

For his part, BFP chief Director Ariel Barayuga said a factory must have industrial sprinkler, fire detection and alarm systems.

Mayor Joey Medina of Pateros said they have minimal factories in the town but they will conduct inspection, while Mayor Del de Guzman of Marikina said they have a number of shoe factories.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said they have identified an industrial site along South Expressway, East and West service road. “We don’t want an Ozone-like incident.”

Pasig Mayor Belen Eusebio said the city has 100 establishments, which should be inspected.

Mayor Lani Cayetano of Taguig said they have 166 high risk establishments, 40 of which have been inspected.

The other mayors who attended the meeting included Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Malabon Mayor Natolin Oreta and Navotas Mayor John Tiangco. –Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star) with Mayen Jaymalin, Marvin Sy