File plaints, fire dept exec tells ‘victims’ of inspectors

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

A FIRE bureau official yesterday called on businessmen allegedly victimized by unscrupulous inspectors who use their positions in order to endorse or deal specific brands of fire extinguishers, to come forward and file complaints.

The call was made by District Fire Marshall Chief Insp. Rommel Villafuerte after Councilor Ramon Tabor alleged that some fire inspectors were engaging in anomalous transactions especially during the period of business permit renewals at city hall that require fire safety inspection reports.

Villafuerte said complaints could be submitted to the city council’s committee on police, fire and public safety chaired by Tabor or addressed to him at the Cagayan de Oro Fire Department.

Tabor told the city council on Monday, “Gi-abusuhan kini tungod kay dili ka mahatagan og renewed permit kung wala kay fire inspection report og labi na gyud kining occupancy permit tungod kay dili ka maka-sulod sa imong bag-o nga balay or building kung wala kay clearance gikan sa BFP.”

Villafuerte said he doubted Tabor’s allegation.

“That is not true. We are being discouraged by our department against endorsing specific brands of fire extinguisher,” he said. “All they have to do is coordinate with my office and identify the fire inspectors, and an appropriate investigation would be done immediately.”

Villafuerte said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) can only require owners of buildings and establishments to provide fire extinguishers and fire safety devices but its personnel cannot recommend any brand.