Crime Prevention Leads To Immolation

The Philippines is a dangerous country. While the Department of Tourism and nationalists may balk the proof is in the house construction. Every house in the Philippines is surrounded by a wall topped with barbed wire or glass. Many have houses have CCTV cameras recording the area. But, just in case robbers make it past the wall and the CCTV, every house has grills on the windows including second floor windows. It's an incredibly dangerous set up especially if there was a fire and one needed to jump out. 

Recently an 80-year-old couple was burned to death inside their home because all the windows had grills. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/06/30/octogenarian-couple-killed-in-bacolod-fire

An elderly couple was killed in a fire that razed their two-story house in Barangay Taculing here before dawn on Monday, June 30.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod identified the fatalities as Edison, 80, and his wife Emelyn, 81.

Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, said the fire broke out from the garage of the couple’s house at 4:14 a.m.

Masip said Edison was bedridden and staying in the living room while his wife was staying on the second floor.

She said Emelyn’s body was found near the kitchen on the ground floor, indicating her attempt to escape from the burning house.

But since the house was covered with grills, there is a possibility that they were trapped, Masip said.

Masip said the couple was alone when the fire broke out, as their helper would usually visit them during the day.

The fire totally destroyed the couple’s house and damage to property was estimated at P3 million. Fire out was declared at 4:18 a.m.

Cause of the fire is being investigated by arson investigators.

Now, it's not clear what caused the fire or why the couple was unable to get out. But the fact that Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip herself brought up the grills is very telling. It's high time houses are properly inspected  by the fire department and all grills, especially those on second floor windows, are removed. People's lives are at risk.

But the BFP has previously warned of the dangers of grills on windows. It seems their warnings of gone unheeded.

Here is a story from 2020.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1299286/woman-son-dead-in-fire-after-futile-cry-for-help-through-grilled-window

A 21-year-old woman and her two-year-old son were found dead inside a house gutted by fire at the village of San Jose here shortly after midnight on Monday (June 29).

Insp. Dionisio Cayudong, city fire marshal, said Fitty Mae Paderanga and her son, Elwood, were last seen crying for help through the window of their house, which had grills that prevented them from coming out during the fire.

Police said a certain Manolo Quiñones owned the house. Residents were able to evacuate during the fire except for Paderanga and her son, who were trapped inside.

Cayudong said Fitty Mae was the daughter of the Quiñones family’s house help and were living with Fitty Mae’s mother.

Witnesses said they saw Fitty Mae crying for help from the grilled windows.

Rescuers failed to reach the victims as a bigger fire engulfed all the entry areas leading to the house where Fitty Mae and her son were trapped.

Cayudong said investigators were looking into the cause of the fire.

Here is a warning from 2011. 

https://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2011/03/14/665760/dangers-grilled-windows-gas-handling

FO1 Wendell Villanueva, public information officer of the Provincial Fire Protection Office, warns house owners of the dangers of iron-grilled or barricaded windows.

“House owners who install grills in their windows in order to prevent burglars and other culprits from entering into their house could have also, in a way, put their lives in danger,” he expressed in an interview last March 2, a day after the opening program to mark the observance of Fire Prevention Month.

“Every opening that is grilled or barricaded,” he said citing documents, “offers false security.”

“Life is more precious than property and fire does not spare life,” he added. “The human flesh is so frail that it can even succumb to smoke when trapped by it.”

Here are tips he shared based on “How to Prevent Fire (Safety Measures and Precautions)” book:

• If one should install iron grills on his windows, he should not fail to consider the danger he is going to face in case of fire or other emergency. It would be wise to construct two stairways at the opposite parts of the house whenever possible. At the ground floor, an exit door should never be nailed closed or obstructed by hardly movable heavy objects.

• If one should install grill on his windows, he must provide at least two sufficient openings or two un-grilled windows at opposite sides as far as possible in each floor and opening into an appropriate space for a safe drop.

• One prevalent practice of house owner that defeats the requirement of openings for fire exit purposes is the use of grills that can be opened and closed with padlocks. By padlocking the grill frames, the window is virtually closed. In case of emergency, it is probable that the one trapped in the house may panic and forget where the key is, or the flame might have blocked his way to where the key is kept. It is therefore, wiser to provide merely shutters that can be bolted but can easily be opened in case the windows are to be used for emergency exit.

Here is a report from 2015 where the Manaue City Fire Department called grills on windows a "mortal sin."

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/buildings-checked-for-fire-safety-compliance

INSPECTORS from the Mandaue City Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will check if all commercial, industrial and government buildings in the city have evacuation plans.

Felix Suico, head of City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they will start their inspection next month.

The City and the BFP vowed to strengthen monitoring of fire safety in buildings, especially factories, following the fire that killed dozens of factory workers in Valenzuela City in Luzon.

“We will force building owners to make an evacuation plan, as mandated by the City Building Code,” Suico said in a press conference organized yesterday by the Mandaue City Public Information Office.

Senior Insp. Joel Abarquez, city fire marshall, said BFP inspectors have checked 184 industrial establishments so far, out of about 1,000.

“Based on the reports, the buildings inspected complied with fire safety rules,” he said.

But Abarquez said he will review the reports submitted by the inspectors, and that he will inspect the establishments himself if he is not satisfied with the reports.

One of the features inspectors check in the buildings is the fire exit.

Abarquez said they make sure fire exit areas are cleared of objects that block traffic during emergencies.

“In some establishments, fire exit areas were turned into storage areas. We warn owners and occupants to rid their fire exit areas of any obstruction,” he said.

He also said that covering windows with steel grills is a “mortal sin”.

“It is a violation of the Fire Safety Code. Putting window grills may secure the things inside the building, but it will not secure the occupants during a fire,” he said.

Window grills reportedly prevented workers of a slipper factory in Valenzuela City from escaping the fire last May 13. At least 73 were killed in the fire.

Abarquez said they always instruct owners of buildings with window grills to remove these.

“Some put the grills back after we issue them permit,” he said.

Abarquez said they only have less than 20 fire safety inspectors in Mandaue City, and that adding more is not easy because of the required training.

Some people replace the grills after they have been issued a permit. That is "a mortal sin." But then again there is a lot of crime in the Philippines. It's a double-edged sword. Either have no grills and risk being burglarized or have grills and risk killing people if a fire breaks out. 

Home Construction Materials in the Philippines Are No Good

There is a house being built nearby and it's intersting watching how things are done in the Philippines. Of course no one is wearing protective gear like closed toed shoes or hardhats. A neglect of basic safety is par for the course for any Philippine construction site. Also, the builders did not have a permit but began construction anyway because the permit was being processed. Not having a permit means the local electric company could not install a meter and hook the site up to the grid. But that is no problem because they taped into the line of a house across the street. It's illegal and dangerous but at least they are paying the owner of the house for the electricity used which cancels out all the legal and safety violations. 

The skeleton of the house is finished and the roof is being attached which means it's almost time to build all the walls. This morning a truck showed up with several pallets of bricks. 

Many of these bricks are cracked and look cheap. 

I do not know how these particular cinder blocks were made but many of them are made by hand using gravel, dirt, and other materials. Then they sit in the sun until they are cured. Needless to say these blocks are not exactly stable and easily crumble. It could be these bricks were cured in an oven. Either way they are brand new and already crumbling. 

Probably the stupidest part of all this is, while the blocks arrived on pallets, there was no forklift or boom on the truck to safely unload them. Even if there was a boom, the construction area has been enclosed with a fence making the delivery of materials that much harder. The fence was the first thing built, even before the site was cleared of all brush. Why is that? Thieves of course. Theft prevention is also why two workers live on site.

With no forklift and no boom the only way to get these blocks off the tuck is by hand. 

What a waste of time. Moving these bricks one-by-one reveals how unstable they really are. 

 Take a look at that mess. How many more houses are being constructed with these unsafe measures employing time wasting practices and using shoddy material? Probably all of them. 

Blowing up Illegal Firecrackers

What do you do with illegal firecrackers? Douse them with water and toss them in the trash? Well, in the Philippines you blow them up!

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/8/police-destroy-seized-firecrackers-in-cagayan-valley

The Police Regional Office-2 destroyed 1,347 illegal firecrackers seized during the Yuletide season in the Cagayan Valley region on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 7.

Police Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr., PRO-2 chief, said the destruction aimed to eliminate hazards posed by illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“This initiative not only complies with laws and regulations but also protects the community from the dangers associated with firecracker-related injuries and accidents," Marallag said.

"This annual event is a crucial part of our efforts to educate the public about the risks of illegal fireworks and to encourage safer celebration practices,” Marallag added. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection assisted the police in the destruction of the banned firecrackers valued at P38,000.

Setting off illegal firecrackers? Bad. Setting off illegal firecrackers by the PNP? Good. Ridiculous. Why not defuse them and douse them with water? Surely there are safer ways to destroy firecrackers than by blowing them up. 

Don't tell that to the Zamboanga PNP. 

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/7/zamboanga-city-police-destroy-seized-firecrackers

Several cartons of firecrackers confiscated by the police here during the holiday season were destroyed on Tuesday, Jan. 7. 

A Zamboanga City Police Office statement said the disposal was carried out in coordination with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-9 and other concerned agencies in Barangay Muti here, more than 50 kilometers away from the central business district.  

“This operation is part of the ongoing efforts to ensure public safety and maintain peace, especially in times of community celebration. The firecrackers, which were previously seized during routine operations last Yuletide season, were safely and efficiently disposed of by the EOD-9 team, in accordance with established safety protocols,” police said. 

Zamboanga City Police Office spokesperson Police Major Albert Alfaro disclosed these firecrackers were seized based on an ordinance banning their sale and use. 

These were destroyed in the area far from the town proper to prevent a repeat of the huge explosion that happened in Barangay Cabatangan last July. 

In the past, seized firecrackers were destroyed in front of City Hall.  

What is safe about setting off illegal fireworks in front of City Hall? NOTHING!! Here is what happened last year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228556

A total of 27 persons, including 19 uniformed personnel, were wounded in an explosion of firecrackers that were for disposal in Zamboanga City on Monday afternoon.

In a report on Tuesday, the Zamboanga City Police Office said the victims consisted of eight civilians, six police officers, three Philippine Coast Guard members, five Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, and five members of the Philippine Marine Corps.

Of the 19 uniformed personnel, one is in critical condition while four were "severely wounded," according to the report.

Meanwhile, the other victims sustained minor injuries and were all discharged from the hospital.

Initial investigation showed members of the Regional Explosive Canine Unit (RECU) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) transported the firecrackers using a marked vehicle with plate number 092805 to the disposal site in Zone 2, Barangay Cabatangan, Zamboanga City.

RECU members were about to dispose of the firecrackers when these prematurely exploded at the site at about 5:35 p.m. on Monday.

The firecrackers were seized in the aftermath of an explosion in a pyrotechnic warehouse in the city's Barangay Tetuan on June 29.

Responding personnel of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office provided the victims with first aid and brought to hospitals those hurt badly in the explosion.

HAHA!!! Let's not pretend that isn't funny because it is hilarious! These morons think the proper way to dispose of fireworks is to blow them up and they got what they deserved. 

If you Google "how to dispose of fireworks" this the very first result. 

Three Steps to Safe Fireworks Disposal

1. Soak. Completely submerge fireworks in a bucket of water. Allow to soak overnight.
2. Wrap. Double wrap soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or plastic bags so they do not dry out.
3. Dispose. Place wrapped bags in regular household garbage and take to your local solid waste facility.

Only in the Philippines do authorities destroy illegal fireworks by blowing them up instead of defusing and disposing of them.

Lawless Philippines: Barangay Officials Allow Dangerous Illegal Roadside Restaurant

The Philippines is full of entrepreneurs doing anything and everything they can to support their families. Some Filipinos set up kiosks selling snacks. Others sell fried chicken from mobile fried chicken stands. In this case someone set up a restaurant on the side of a busy street. 

I'm not sure how long this set up has been there but I don't remember seeing it the week before I took this picture. 

Now, of course all the usual things can be said such as it's in a dangerous location blocking auto and pedestrian traffic and it likely has no permit to operate but nobody cares. They have customers and probably no one who has driven by this spot has filed a complaint. Surely the PNP have passed by but they aren't ones to enforce the law unless pressed to do so. 

There are two ways to look at it. As Filipinos doing what they must to survive or as a nuisance that should be taken down. I consider it the latter. 

Believe it or not this dangerous and illegal set up is right next to the Barangay Hall. Of course I spoke with the barangay officials. One official was a former chairman and current kagawad while the other was the chairman. The kagawad informed me he knew the restaurant was located in a dangerous area blocking pedestrian and auto traffic but he allowed them to operate out of consideration for their livelihood. After all, they take it down at 4 in the afternoon. The kagawad also told me they asked permission from him specifically because he was a former chairman. We both spoke with the current chairman and he related the same sentiments, namely,  consideration must be made for these people to make a livelihood. 

In essence these two officials are knowingly and willingly creating a dangerous situation, breaking their oath of office, and shirking their duties and responsibilities to the public.

The barangay chairman's duties are as follows:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1991/10oct/19911010-RA-7160-CCA.pdf

1. (a)  Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay;

13. (n)  Promote the general welfare of the Barangay; 

The duties of the barangay kagawads include:

1. (a)  Assist the Punong Barangay in the discharge of his duties and functions;

2. (b)  Act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety

Presumably all the laws and ordinances of the Philippines are applicable within every Barangay and enforcing them would promote the general welfare. That would include needing a business and health permit to operate a restaurant and not blocking sidewalks and roads.

But who cares about the law and safety when we must take into consideration these people need to make a livelihood even if they are endangered while doing so? Such a wanton disregard for the law and the safety of the community because it benefits a few people reminds me of this image:

A full video of the illegal roadside restaurant can be seen here:

Cebu City's Proposed Ordinance to Prevent Construction Site Accidents

Construction sites in the Philippines are unsafe and deadly. Cebu City has a new proposal to prevent accidents on construction sites. CCTV cameras.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/589407/cctv-ordinance-seeks-to-boost-construction-safety-in-cebu-city

To improve safety for construction workers in Cebu City, Councilor Rey Gealon proposed installing CCTV cameras.

This proposal was discussed during the City Council’s regular session on Wednesday.

His proposed ordinance is named the “2024 OBO Central Monitoring System of the City of Cebu.”

Gealon proposed using CCTV cameras to monitor construction activities in Cebu City, aiming to ensure worker safety and compliance with regulations.

If approved, the ordinance would regulate CCTV use to protect privacy, with footage accessible only to the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and authorized personnel.

The cameras would help ensure construction meets safety standards and adheres to the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096), which aims to safeguard life, health, and public welfare by setting minimum standards for building construction and maintenance.

Gealon’s proposed ordinance requires CCTV cameras for all construction, demolition, and renovation projects in Cebu City with a gross floor area of at least 250 square meters or buildings that are at least 2 stories high.

These cameras must operate 24/7 and be repaired immediately if damaged to avoid penalties.

The Office of the Building Official (OBO) will issue Certificates of Compliance for CCTV installations and collect related fees: P250 for inspection, P5 per camera for processing, and P100 per certificate.

Penalties for non-compliance include:

• P1,000 for a first offense
• An additional P3,000 if non-compliance continues for one month
• P5,000 for each additional month of non-compliance

Violators may also face imprisonment of 6 to 12 months or fines ranging from P3,000 to P5,000.

The ordinance has been sent to the Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.

This proposal is stupid. It is a waste of money and places an undue burden on construction companies. There are also several questions here:

Who will be reviewing the CCTV footage and how often will they be reviewing it? 

Where will the CCTV footage be stored?

Are there any statistics that back up this proposal as a means of ensuring compliance with safety standards? 

This proposal is also unnecessary as laws already exist to protect construction workers. They are called the Occupational Health and Safety Standards. 

https://library.laborlaw.ph/r-a-11058-occupational-safety-and-health-standards/

How are often are these standards enforces? How often are construction sites inspected? Are there enough inspectors to go around? I don't know the answers to any of those questions but before a new ordinance is passed it ought to be investigated as to why the current laws are not enough to protect construction workers and the public.

The Philippines does not need more laws when the current laws are not being enforced.

Unlicensed Crane Operator Drops Concrete Slab on Worker's Head

Many construction sites in the Philippines are unsafe and dangerous. Here is another one.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/579677/construction-worker-crushed-to-death-by-concrete-slab-in-lapu-lapu

A miscalculation by a crane operator at a construction site in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu became the cause of a tragedy when a concrete slab fell on a worker on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

The victim, a construction worker, was crushed to death by a pre-cast concrete slab that weighed 600 kilograms.

The fatal incident reportedly happened at around 1:30 p.m. at a construction site inside a subdivision in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

The deceased was identified as 39-year-old Joseph Alvaro-Salburo, married and a resident of Barangay Matab-ang in Toledo City.

Salburo was installing iron grill reinforcement at the construction site at the time of the incident when a slab of concrete suddenly fell on him and crushed his whole body.

Investigation showed that the concrete slab fell because of a mistake by the crane operator who was moving it.

Police Major Jaypee Dagami, chief of Gun-ob Police Station, narrated that witnesses said that the boom of the crane was fully extended despite the very short distance that the operator was moving the concrete slab to.

Because the operator miscalculated the equipment’s weight-load ratio, it began turning sideways and the concrete slab fell directly on the victim below.

Salburo, who was only wearing gloves as safety gear, died on the spot.

This was despite the efforts of personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-R7) Lapu Lapu City District and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) who responded to the scene.

The crane operator, identified as Oliver Navarro, 39, from Barangay Masaba in Danao City was promptly arrested.

Dagami said that it was found that Navarro did not have the proper license to operate the equipment.

He said that the company, who hired Navarro as a subcontractor, may be held liable for the damage and required to pay compensation to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, Navarro is now detained at the custodial facility of the Gun-ob Police Station pending the filing of a charge of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against him.

Dagami said that they would be waiting for the victim’s family to visit the police station and relay their decision for the formal filing of the complaint.

A man working on a construction site wearing ONLY gloves as safety gear died after a slab of concrete dropped onto his head because the crane operator miscalculated the distance he was moving the slab as well as its weight. It also turns out this man did not have a license to operate a crane. Now he is being held in jail while the cops wait for the family to file to a complaint.

This story has everything I write about on this blog. There is the wanton disregard for safety, the incompetence of not only the crane operator but the company who hired him and apparently did not bother to check if he was qualified for the job, and the injustice as the cops wait for the family to file a complaint with the possibility hinted at the man may get off by paying blood money.

It's a stunning snapshot of what makes the Philippines so backwards. 

Filipino Construction Workers Moving Heavy Pieces of Cement Drains While Wearing Only Slippers

Construction in the Philippines is a mess. It's mostly bricolage and jury-rigging. It's a surprise anything works. Especially egregious is the lack of safety on so many construction sites. Take a look at this guy moving heavy cement drains while wearing nothing but slippers.

The man could lose his foot and apparently not even he cares. Certainly his supervisor doesn't care or he would have provided boots or spent him home. You can watch the full video here:

Lack of Fire Safety and Nasty Bathrooms in the Philippines

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection 15 municipalities in the Eastern Visayas do not have their own fire stations which puts the lives and properties of residents at risk. 12 of these municipalities are islands which means they are practically out of reach of any help should a fire occur.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1877484/15-towns-in-eastern-visayas-have-no-fire-stations-says-bfp

A total 15 municipalities in Eastern Visayas do not have their own fire stations, putting at risk the lives and properties of their residents, a Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) official revealed.

Senior Supt. Randy Mendaros, assistant regional director of the BFP, said 12 of these areas are island-municipalities. These are Maripipi in Biliran province; Almagro, Daram, Sto. Niño, Tagapul-an, Talalora, and Zumarraga, all in Samar province; and Biri, Lapinig, Rosario, San Vicente and Victoria in Northern Samar.

The other towns without fire stations and fire equipment are Llorente, General MacArthur, and Mercedes, all in Eastern Samar.

Eastern Visayas has 136 municipalities and seven cities in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar.

The reason for the absence of fire station in these municipalities is because local governments have not donated appropriate lots where they can be constructed. 

The 15 municipalities do not have their own fire stations in the absence of lots, which are supposed to be donated by the local governments, where these can be constructed, Mendaros revealed.

According to Mendaros, the usual practice was for the BFP to build the fire station and provide the equipment on a property donated by the local government unit (LGU).

There were LGUs that were willing to donate lots but in one instance, a property was rejected by the BFP since it was located in a hazard-prone area, he added. In the absence of fire stations in these 15 towns, the nearest fire station must help put out the fire should a fire break in one of these municipalities, said Mendaros.

But because of the distance, the fire trucks were expected to arrive at least 30 minutes at the fire scene and not within the 10-minute ideal response time.

Aside from the lack of fire stations, he revealed there were only 248 firetrucks across the region, 27 of which were not serviceable or under maintenance, while 168 of the 769 fire hydrants across in the region were not functioning.

Do local governments not care about their own constituents or themselves? Why would they donate useless lots to the BFP? Perhaps a wider investigation should be carried out to ensure that these municipalities have proper fire stations and penalize LGUs who burden the process. But in the Philippines it will probably take a barangay captain's house burning down before any decisive action is taken.

Bathrooms in the Philippines are notoriously nasty, foul places. Lack of toilet paper and running water are just two of the problems. Now one Cebu City councilor is calling out Cebu City establishments for this very problem.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/546613/cebu-city-councilor-calls-out-foul-unhygienic-restrooms-of-establishments

“Foul and unhygienic” comfort rooms in various establishments caught the attention of Cebu City Councilor Jun Alcover.

In his privileged speech during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, December 20, he raised concerns about unsanitary comfort rooms in establishments in Cebu City.

"I just want to convey an observation to the establishments in the city, it's a small thing from our point of view but it has a big impact on our visitors; the dirt in the comfort rooms in other establishments,” Alcover stated.

Let's stop here. Why are unhygienic bathrooms a "small thing from our point of view?" Whose point of view is he talking about? Filipinos? Cebu City's? It's an odd thing to say because nasty bathrooms impact everyone who will use them not just visitors.  This man is practically undermining his speech by calling it "a small thing from our point of view."

He noted that the “foul and unhygienic” state of comfort rooms would be a concern as the city will expect an influx of visitors exploring malls and other establishments during this festive season leading up to Christmas and Sinulog in January.

"This is a reflection of how dirty the establishments are, no matter how handsome the outsiders are, if your CRs are dirty, it really reflects the personality of the establishment," he said.

Alcover stressed the need for businesses to recognize that the condition of their comfort rooms reflects the personality and standards of their establishments.

"There is still a hotel, a big hotel, when [I] was there, the comfort room smelled really bad. I went to the parlor, the comfort room was almost ruined. Gas station, perting baao, CR is still broken. Restaurants, comfort rooms are dirty," he stressed.

During his recent rounds in the city, Alcover noted instances of poorly maintained comfort rooms, citing examples of unclean facilities, malfunctioning flush systems, and broken amenities.

These observations were not limited to a single type of business but included hotels, gas stations, and restaurants.

With this, Alcover urged establishments to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their comfort rooms not only during the holiday season but consistently throughout the year.

He emphasized that collective efforts from both the public and private sectors are crucial to achieving a cleaner and more appealing environment for locals and tourists alike.

Did this man go undercover to various establishments and test out their bathrooms? It's simply too bad he makes this issue one about image. It's about cleanliness and health. Are we not still in the midst of a pandemic where the authorities are carping about following minimal health standards? Bathrooms should be cleaned whether or not visitors from out of town are coming to shop. 

At least he has an action plan. Let's see what it is. 

Moreover, to address the cleanliness concerns raised in his privilege speech, Alcover has proposed a series of actions.

Firstly, he called on business establishments to prioritize and maintain the cleanliness of their comfort rooms, emphasizing the impact it has on the overall impression of the city.

Secondly, he moved to request the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) to intensify sanitary inspections in major establishments, including malls, tourist spots, and gas stations.

Lastly, he further requested the CCHD to submit a report every 15 days, detailing the results of their sanitary inspections.

Alcover hopes to instigate changes in the cleanliness practices of establishments in Cebu City, creating an environment that aligns with the standards set by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama for a cleaner and more organized city, akin to the renowned cleanliness standards of Singapore.

"If all the comfort rooms are clean, we can really reach what the mayor calls Singapore-like [Cebu City]," he said.

Regular inspections by the City Health Department are actually a good idea. But sadly he ends with an appeal to image saying clean comfort rooms will help Cebu City become Singapore-like. I hate to break it to him but Cebu is not going to be like Singapore simply because the bathrooms are clean. Has he been to Singapore? The entire city is clean and their public transportation is leagues apart from any public transportation system in the Philippines. 

It's sad that the image of the city is his primary concern and not the health of residents. Calling out establishments for being disgusting is good but health should be the first concern and not the image of the city. He is right but for all the wrong reasons. 

T-Shirt Factory Destroyed in Fire

 A fire at a T-shirt factory has killed 16 people and destroyed the business. 

https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/15-dead-as-fire-blazes-residential-area-in-tandang-sora-quezon-city

A fire broke out in a residential area being used as warehouse in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Thursday morning, leaving a total of 15 deaths, including a three-month-old child.

According to RH Val Gonzales, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire blazed at around 5:00 a.m. early morning, and the fatalities were found beyond recognition, and there are still three who fortunately survived.

Moreover, the casualties were still being identified by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) division personnel.

Based on the incident report from the BFP, the fire started at around 5:30 a.m. and was raised to its first alarm at 5:44 a.m.

It was declared under control at 6:28 a.m. and was officially fired out by 8:04 a.m.

According to BFP NCR Director FCSupt. Nahum Tarroza, there are highly combustible materials inside the establishment, including paints and other materials.

Tarroza added that they also found many working violations, which included the lack of permits as well as a small area that large machines being used in the production of clothes could not fit in.

Furthermore, Brgy. Tandang Sora said that the T-shirt factory just had its permits renewed last month.

The volume of acceptances at the factory appeared to be high as it operated despite an incomplete working permit.

Meanwhile, the BFP is conducting a thorough investigation into the fatal incident that killed 15 people.

Whoops!  It turns out this "factory" and "warehouse" is actually just a regular old house in a RESIDENTIAL AREA. It also had no proper permits though it was in the process of RENEWING its permits. Who the heck granted this business a permit to operate as a t-shirt factory in a residential area?  They need to be held accountable. 

Let's read another report of this same incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/31/15-dead-as-fires-hits-building-in-qc

At least 15 workers died when they were trapped in a fire that gutted a two-storey residential-commercial building housing a t-shirt factory in Pleasant View Subdvision, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City on Thursday morning, Aug. 31.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire status was raised to first alarm at around 5:30 a.m. and was declared under control at around 6:44 a.m.

The blaze was extinguished at around 8:04 a.m.

Authorities have yet to disclose the amount of damage to property caused by the blaze as well as the number of families/individuals affected.

The BFP and Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (QCDRRMO) personnel retrieved the bodies of the victim after responders were able to put out the fire.

In an interview, BFP Regional Director Chief Supt. Nahum B. Tarozza said that following their inspection, they found out that the commercial building only has one entrance and exit door and the t-shirt printing business operating inside it has no fire safety permit. 

He said that the 15 fatalities, who were personnel of the t-shirt printing business, were staying at the rooms at the back part of the building when the incident happened. Their names have not been disclosed. 

He added that the victims allegedly attempted to escape but failed. Their bodies were found outside their rooms. 

The BFP chief said that the fire allegedly originated from the old office of the business which was located on the first floor of the building according to the witness, while some of the materials used for the t-shirt printing are flammable such as paint and plastic. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

“The local government of Quezon City expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of the victims of the fire in a building in Barangay Tandang Sora this morning,” the city governement said.

It said the City Social Services Development Department (SSDD) is now coordinating with the families of the deceased victims to provide them with assistance.

“Currently, the Department of Building Official (DBO) and Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD) are checking if the business using the establishment has enough permits and documents. Among the things to be investigated is if there is a violation of the National Building Code, Fire Code of the Philippines, zoning ordinance, business permit, occupancy permit and other laws and ordinances,” the local government said.

“We would like to assure the public, especially the families of the victims, that we will give priority to a thorough investigation to hold accountable the agencies or individuals who made the mistake that caused this incident, along with the implementation of additional measures and policies to prevent it from happening again in the future,” it added.

Now we get some more details. The building had only ONE ENTRANCE AND EXIT and NO FIRE SAFETY PERMITS! The "Department of Building Official (DBO) and Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD)" is checking to see if there were violations of "the National Building Code, Fire Code of the Philippines, zoning ordinance, business permit, occupancy permit and other laws and ordinances."

Obviously there were such violations. But on a positive note it appears there were no bars on the second floor windows. At least they have not indicated that is the case. It's another area that warrants investigation.

Finally, one more story about this situation.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/31/23/16-dead-in-tandang-sora-fire

Sixteen people, including a 3-year-old girl, were killed in a first-alarm fire that ravaged a house converted to a t-shirt manufacturing establishment in Tandang Sora, Quezon City on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Fire Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza of the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region said on TeleRadyo Serbisyo the house on Kennedy Lane was undergoing expansion when the fire struck on the first floor of the house. He said chemicals used for t-shirt printing could have caused the fire to spread rapidly.

The owners of the house and their 3-year-old child were among the fatalities. Most of the fatalities were stay-in workers, the fire official said. 

Three survived the fire including Mariafe Parle, an all-around maid of the owner. She said that they were in deep sleep when the fire broke out and she escaped through a window.

She even tried to rescue the girl who was carried by her mother, but she had difficulty breathing. Parle sustained injuries on her hands and feet from jumping off the window.

Another survivor recalled that it was difficult for them to locate the front door, which is the only way out of the house.

Tarroza said they would launch an investigation into the fire after they learned that the house had no permits to operate. The house has yet to secure a fire safety inspection certification from the BFP.

Firefighters took too long to respond to the fire after they were given the wrong address, Tarroza said. Heavy floods in parts of Quezon City also impeded fire trucks from reaching the area quickly.

Since the maid jumped out of the window it is established that at least that particular window did not have bars. 

It is also noted that most of the fatalities lived at the job site. That is a real problem in the Philippines. No one should be living at their job. It is simply inconceivable that anyone is living in a factory. 

And for the coup de grace we learnt that the firefighters were given the wrong address which resulted in them arriving too late. 

What a horrorshow. Everything wrong with the Philippines is contained in the story. The reappropriation of residential areas as industrial/business areas. Workers forced to live in the factory. No regard for safety. 

No regard for safety is the key here. It seems as if everything in this nation is jury-rigged. I can say with confidence this is not the first such tragedy nor will it be the last.