MMDA pushes inspection of dorms for fire safety

With the school opening approaching, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is urging local government officials in Metro Manila to conduct random inspection of dormitories to ensure the safety of students amid the spate of fires in the metropolis.

The inspection of dormitories should be done before the opening of classes next month to determine whether these are compliant with fire safety standards, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

Tolentino made the appeal following a fire that razed a slipper factory in Valenzuela City, which left 72 people dead last week.

Initial findings of investigators from the Bu- reau of Fire Protection (BFP) showed that the factory violated the fire code.

Tolentino asked building officials and BFP personnel to inspect dormitories, schools and call center offices to give building owners adequate time to comply with fire safety regulations.

The MMDA chief also called for the mandatory deployment of safety officers to high-risk structures such as dormitories and call center offices.

“Dormitories are among high-risk structures considering that most students are renting on bed space basis and call centers operate 24/7,” Tolentino said.

He said safety officers would have direct coordination with fire, police and rescue offices in Metro Manila.

He added he would submit a safety inspection operation for approval of the Metro Manila Council.

Tolentino reminded building officials to ensure that the dormitories they are inspecting have adequate and functioning fire exits, fire alarms and other fire safety equipment.

He said inspectors should look into the conditions of students living in dormitories, especially those cramped in dingy and inhumane quarters.

“All these without mandatory fire safety requirements constitute clear violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines and as such, violators should not be left unpunished,” he said.