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Thursday, November 08, 2007
Biz group forms body to probe Glorietta incident
MANILA –- Three weeks after a deadly blast hit a popular shopping mall in Makati City killing 11 persons and wounding more than a hundred others, an independent commission was formed on Wednesday with the task of conducting “an impartial and credible” investigation on the cause of the incident.
“We consider ourselves stakeholders in a credible investigation, since we live and do business in Makati and any major incident in our city affects us too, whether Filipinos or foreigners,” said the Makati Business Development Council (MBDC), which will spearhead the investigation.
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It added: “It is for this reason that we decided to take it upon ourselves to organize a commission on the Glorietta 2 incident. We believe that there is a need for a credible and impartial investigation on the cause of the explosion, as well as the efficiency of all sectors’ response to its aftermath.”
Speculation
The business group said they are concerned about the flood of speculation regarding the cause of the explosion, saying such statements only heighten the confusion and uncertainty of the public and the business community at large.
“We, the members of the MBDC, express our deepest concern over recent developments relating to the ongoing investigation of the explosion that happened at Glorietta 2 on October 19, 2007,” said the group.
It said: “As of this date, there appears to be little in the way of a conclusive finding, or anything that would indicate a definitive conclusion, into the cause of the explosion. What transpired are public statements emanating from different agencies and groups that are basically contradictory to each other in nature. These statements further add to the confusion and uncertainty. They also tend to cast doubts on the veracity and integrity of the investigative process.”
Negative impact
The MBDC believed that such confusion would have negatively impact on the over-all business climate not only in Makati but the entire country as well.
“Aside from these, it could also influence international perceptions of the Philippines as a destination for investors,” it said.
The MBDC grouped all business entities in Makati including the mall’s owner Ayala Land Incorporated (ALI) and the Makati Business Club (MBC) although either participated in the hour-long discussion.
A businessman who participated in the meeting but asked not to be named said MBC declined their invitation to the discussion or be a member of the investigation due to its closeness with ALI.
Foreign business organizations are also represented in the MBDC.
Before Christmas
Brian Lane, who represented the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chaired the MBDC committee on public safety, said the investigating body will buckle down to work immediately to be able to finish its investigation before Christmas.
The team, he said, will conclude its investigation on December 21 where it will make available its findings to all parties in the incident and the public.
Lane said even if the inter-agency task force composed of the various law enforcement agencies in the country completed its finding, they would still continue their own investigation.
He said the MBDC committee on public safety has been directed to draw up the terms of reference and organizational structure of the commission as well as additional members of the body.
Those who will comprise the technical and management team are set to be named next week as well as the funding sources although Lane said that in most likelihood it will come from contribution of the members themselves.
“This (funding) is to erase speculation that we might be beholden to any of the parties concerned with the incident. The commission will have a life of its own and will not be beholden to anybody not even the mayor,” he said.
But Lane said they have already identified some credible civic and society leaders who will be asked to form the group.
For the technical aspect, Lane said they are looking at several groups including the prestigious University of the Philippines (UP) Chemical Engineering group. (AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (November 8, 2007 issue)
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