Probe of QC fire marshal sought

Probe of QC fire marshal sought | Daily Tribune

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday directed the Bureau of Fire Protection to "investigate thoroughly," Quezon City Fire Marshal Aristotle Bañaga and chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion for lapses committed in the wake of several fire incidents this year in their jurisdiction.

Abalos said he has ordered BFP chief Louie Puracan to investigate thoroughly and "determine the accountability of the two local fire officials."

Abalos made the move after QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, in her letter dated 14 September, copy of which was obtained by the DAILY TRIBUNE, recommended that the two officials be transferred from their position after their investigation found "serious lapses in the inspection process" of the two BFP officials.

"After an investigation into the deadly fire last 31 August in Tandang Sora, wherein 15 lives were lost, it was discovered that serious lapses in inspection processes led to insufficient site inspection for the FSIC (Fire Safety Inspection Certificate) application of business in 2023, and no inspection at all for the same purpose in 2022 and 2023. These, despite knowledge per records that the business transferred from original site in Manresa, this City, into a residential area in Pleasant View Subdivision in Tandang Sora, with a declaration of 15 square meters "office only" contractor of clothes, garments and bags as it's business area and nature of business. At the very least, the QCFD (Quezon City Fire Department) should have been more circumspect in inspecting the business area and the rest of the premises for signs of unauthorized business activities. Instead, just a cursory look was undertaken in 2021 and no inspection at all in 2022 and 2023," Belmonte's letter read.

"The capability and effectiveness of QCFD in responding to these fires appears therefore to have decreased significantly," Belmonte wrote.

The severity of this year's incidents, according to the Mayor, necessitates a call for a change in leadership of the QCFD.

"Said change is crucially needed for the welfare of our citizens given the loss of our trust and confidence with QCFD Col. Bañaga and Chief Insp. Salvacion," Belmonte added.

She also cited that their evaluation conducted on fire incidents that occurred this year showed an average of more damage, injury and deaths compared to previous years.

Earlier, fire incident protocols were also broken in the aftermath of a blaze in Tandang Sora that claimed the life of retired General George Ancheta, the uncle of QC Council Majority Floor Leader Dorothy Delarmente.

Another blaze, a five-alarm fire in Culiat injured seven people and destroyed about 200 homes.

"I've instructed the BFP to strengthen the training of BFP personnel on fire prevention and suppression. Vigilant and rigorous inspections are the key to mitigating future fire incidents," Abalos said.

He also thanked the Quezon City Government for its assistance to those injured or rendered homeless in these recent fires.

Belmonte earlier sought the relief of two officials from the BFP-QCFD following a review of the performance of the agency prompted by the tragic loss of lives caused by the fire last 31 August in Tandang Sora.

An evaluation conducted by the city government of each fire incident that occurred this year showed on average, more damage, injury and death compared to the previous year.

"The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QCFD in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its own distinct volatile circumstances. Nonetheless, the severity of this year's incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP," Belmonte said.

The two officials were identified as BFP-QCFD Fire Marshall, Fire Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga, and the Chief of the QCFD Fire Prevention Branch that undertakes inspections, Fire Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion.