Council body seeks BFP list of violators

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE city council’s committee on police, fire and public safety yesterday called on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to provide it information about the violators of the Fire Code in the city.

The committee’s chairman, Councilor Romeo Calizo, said this after city fire marshal Wilfredo David revealed that the bureau has listed some 4,500 violators of the Fire Code in the city.

Calizo said the committee would start an inquiry into the violations and summon David, city engineer Roland Pacuribot and those from the Office of the Building Official, and officials from other government offices.

He said the revelation highlighted the need for an investigation to determine whether or not there were at least 4,500 fire hazards in the city.

But the committee, he said, would need to go over data from the fire bureau first as basis for the investigation.

Calizo said the committee would see how the local government and the BFP could make establishments really comply with the Fire Code.

David said he learned about the 4,500 violators when he assumed as the city’s fire marshal this March 13. Among the violators are government establishments, he said.

“We will try to see  unsay atong mahimo ana kay aron kanang nakalista nga naka-violate sa Fire Code ato nang matabangan nga  maka-comply sila sa mga fire safety requirements sa dali ug    sayon nga paagi,” Calizo said.

David however said the BFP has also noted that some of the violators have slowly complied with the Fire Code after they were sent notices of violation by the bureau.

The list, he said, was a result of inspections conducted throughout the year.

“Walay undang ning  atong pag-inspection sa mga buildings to find out kon safe ba o dili ang mga building sa sunog,” said David.

Notices, he said, are sent notices within 15 days after establishments are found to be fire hazards, and then the establishments are inspected again.

“If we find out nga  wala niya i-comply ang among notice, amo dayon siyang isyuhan og notice to correct  violation with penalty na,” David said.

If the establishment still failed to comply, David said, a stoppage and closure order would be issued against the violator.

David said the BFP has the police power and can impose penalty against erring establishments. He said it can fine and even padlock those that fail to comply with the provisions of the Fire Code.