Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Catalino Cuy reminds the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to intensify fire safety inspection on high-rise buildings or establishments.
Cuy issued the reminder following the 24-1 Grenfell Tower inferno fire in London’s North Kensington district that left 30 people dead, and several people injured.
“We do not want a Grenfell Tower fire incident to happen in our country. Let us therefore ensure that high-rise buildings are regularly inspected and they comply with fire safety standards,” says Cuy.
The BFP is required by law to conduct fire safety inspection of all buildings and establishments to determine their compliance on the provisions of the Fire Code of the Philippines.
Buildings or high-rise establishments must have fire alarm systems, fire detectors, fire extinguishers, automatic fire sprinklers system (AFSS), among others. They must also have their own team’s employees or fire brigade to be trained by the fire bureau.
Cuy mentions that the BFP-NCR led by Sr. Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tui has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders as Metro Manila has around 1,700 high-rise buildings or establishments.
Cities with high-rise establishments are mostly found in Makati, Manila, Quezon, Pasig, Pasay, Muntinlupa and Taguig.