Daily TribuneThe City Legal Department has also formed a Special Panel of Investigators to probe the incident and if warranted by evidence, to file the appropriate case(s) against pertinent and surviving officers of the corporation.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte instructed over the weekend the city's Business Permits and Licensing Department, Department of Building Official, Zoning Administration Unit and Quezon City Fire District to strictly and rigorously inspect businesses in subdivisions and other residential areas, pursuant to their respective mandates.
The order was issued following the recent fire in Pleasant View Subdivision,
Barangay Tandang Sora that engulfed a residence-turned-manufacturing building, resulting in the death of 15 people, including a three-year old child.
Based on the initial investigation, the 200 square meter-building was utilized as a t-shirt printing house contrary to the declared 15 square meter — business as trader/ contractor of ready to wear clothes, garments and bags, as was represented to the BPLD upon application for Business Permit.
According to the DBO, the establishment does not have a building permit under the name of the owner and the same address.
Further, the shop, under the name "MGC Wearhouse Inc." had been a registered business since 2013. However, because of the automation and ease of doing business implementation of the city, it was discovered that the business cannot continue to operate in the subdivision, and in April 2023 was asked to relocate within a year.
The City Legal Department has also formed a Special Panel of Investigators to probe the incident and if warranted by evidence, to file the appropriate case(s) against pertinent and surviving officers of the corporation.
These charges may include Reckless Imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and physical injuries; Violation(s) of the Fire Code (RA 9514); Violation(s) of the Building Code (PD 1096); and Violation(s) of Labor Laws and Standards.
Administrative and criminal cases will also be filed against local government personnel found to be liable after the conduct of the investigation.
Finally, Belmonte also directed Quezon City Attorney Niño Casimiro to provide legal assistance to the survivors and the victims' families who want to file civil cases against MGC Wearhouse Inc.
