Mayor Honey Orders Inspection of Manila Buildings After Binondo Fire Claims 11 Lives

-



MANILA, Philippines — Following a tragic fire that resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals at a residential-commercial building in Binondo on August 2, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan has instructed building and fire officials to conduct thorough inspections of all structures in the city.


Mayor Lacuna-Pangan emphasized that buildings at high fire risk, especially those over 15 years old, will be prioritized in these inspections to ensure compliance with the National Building Code and the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines.


"These inspections are to guarantee strict adherence to existing building and fire safety regulations, aiming to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of our residents," the mayor stated.


Condolences and Support


Mayor Lacuna-Pangan expressed her deep condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. "On behalf of the City Government of Manila, I deeply sympathize with the loved ones of those who perished in the fire at a residential-commercial building in Carvajal, Binondo, Manila this morning. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," she said.


She added that they are awaiting an official report from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to fully understand the circumstances of the tragic event.



Immediate Assistance


The Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) has swiftly provided assistance to the families of the victims and other affected residents, offering psychosocial, medical, and financial aid.


Fire Details


The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that the fire broke out at the corner of Nueva (formerly Yuchengco Street) and Carvajal Streets. The blaze was raised to the first alarm at 7:28 a.m. and the second alarm at 8:14 a.m., before being extinguished at around 10:03 a.m. The BFP confirmed that 11 individuals perished, allegedly trapped inside the building, though their identities have yet to be disclosed.


Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan stressed the importance of these inspections to prevent such incidents and safeguard the well-being of Manila’s residents.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Philippines Conducts Joint Patrols with US, Canada, and Australia

-
Image
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines commenced two days of joint maritime and aerial exercises with the United States, Canada, and Australia on Wednesday, as outlined in a joint statement, amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea with China. These operations, taking place "within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone," aim to demonstrate the collective commitment of the four nations to enhance regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The exercises come at a time when China's aggressive posturing towards Taiwan and its claims over the South China Sea have raised concerns about a potential conflict that could involve the United States. China asserts sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, disregarding an international tribunal ruling that deemed its claims unfounded.  Last week, the Philippines conducted separate naval drills in the South China Sea, first with the United States and then with Japan tw...
Read more

DepEd Faces August Deadline to Fill Over 20,000 Teacher Vacancies

-
Image
M ANILA, Philippines —  With only a month left before the deadline, the Department of Education (DepEd) has filled just 9 percent of the 22,323 available teaching positions across the country. During an oversight hearing with the House committee on appropriations, Education Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development Wilfredo Cabral reported that approximately 22 percent of the vacancies are in various stages of the hiring process. "As of this date, we have filled 9 percent of these positions. Twenty-two percent of the total teaching items are already in different stages of appointment. We have also implemented a monitoring system for all regions to verify compliance," Cabral stated. Efforts to Address the Shortfall Cabral mentioned that last year, the DepEd issued a memorandum order instructing regional directors and schools division superintendents to create catch-up plans aimed at filling the vacant teaching positions. He emphasized that the department...
Read more

COA Flags Cebu City for Unused P1.4B Disaster Fund

-
Image
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised concerns about Cebu City’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). In its 2023 report, COA revealed that the city failed to utilize P1.456 billion from its disaster fund for the years 2022 and 2023. COA highlighted that this non-utilization undermines the fund’s purpose of bolstering disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The LDRRMF, intended to support disaster preparedness and mitigation projects, had P129,353,831.56 allocated in 2022 and an additional P1,455,856,661.59 in 2023. However, by the end of 2023, these funds remained largely unspent, with many projects still stuck in procurement or approval stages. This inaction has rendered the city’s annual investment plans ineffective, leaving it vulnerable to disasters. Legislative Framework and Fund Allocation Republic Act No. 10121, the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” mandates that at least five percent of...
Read more