The lawmakers have blamed the lapses in the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) inspection of safety and labor standards at the Kentex footwear manufacturer as among the factors that caused the fire that killed 72 workers in the firm’s factory in Valenzuela City.
In today’s hearing of the House Committee on Labor headed by Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, Valenzuela City officials disclosed that the local government only issued provisional business license and mayor’s permit to Kentex due to the firm’s failure to present fire inspection clearance from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
BFP Senior Inspector Barry Cunas said the Kentex management has failed to secure a safety inspection certificate from the agency.
Under Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines, a fire safety inspection document is a requirement before the local government can issue a business permit for a private enterprise.
Labor Laws Compliance Officer Joseph Vedasto, meanwhile, admitted that he cleared Kentex from any violation of occupational health and labor standards regulations despite failing to fully determine whether or not the firm had been issued the BFP fire safety certificate.
Manila Bulletin
