Business establishments urged to renew permits; BFP starts inspection

SORSOGON CITY, October 14 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Sorsogon City spearheaded by City Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Walter Badong Marcial has started inspection to all establishments in anticipation for the yearly One Stop Shop Program for business permits renewal at the city hall comes January 2013.

Marcial said the BFP together with the city employees started their joint inspection on October 1, 2012, where team members are composed of personnel from the offices of Permits and Licenses Section, City Treasurer’s Office, City health Office, City Engineering Office, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, City Zoning Administrators Office and the City Veterinary Office.

As a pre-requisite for the issuance of business permits and licenses, each business owners must first secure their Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) which is being issued by the BFP.

“Business owners should comply with recommendations given by our fire safety inspectors. It is not merely about their permits and licenses but more on public safety to avert fire incidents,” SINP Marcial said as he directed his personnel to strictly observe the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9514 otherwise known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

Marcial further said that they are strict in implementing the law to guarantee public safety and promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession.

Under the said law the BFP shall enforce all laws, and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the fire protection and prevention services.

Marcial also reminded the applicants to strictly conform to the fire safety standard and regulations of the BFP.

”Once an establishment violated the Fire Code of the Philippines, a notice to correct violation at a given grace period is conferred. On the other hand, if the owner failed to comply with the recommendations of the fire safety inspector, then they will be penalized with a corresponding amount of fine stipulated in the fire code and this will be paid to the authorized collecting officer of the BFP,” he stressed out.

Meanwhile, the Fire Safety Enforcement Section (FSES) of the BFP Sorsogon City recorded more or less 2000 establishments which are expected to renew their business permits.

The official also enumerated the list of requirements needed for FSIC issuance for the benefit of the applicants as follows: Photocopy of Electrical Inspection Certificate (City Engineering Office), Fire Code Fees (City Treasurer’s Office), Fire Code Fees Payment (Collecting Officer of BFP), Photocopy of Insurance Policy Contract (if there is), and 1 piece Documentary Stamp.

Moreover, Marcial said that the BFP will continue to strictly enforce the fire code thus, bestowed by law, it has the authority to revoke the permit of any establishment to operate up to the extent of closing it if found to be a fire hazard and mainly violating the fire safety rules and regulations. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/MGECorral, BFP)