Friday, March 14, 2008 BFP reactivates regional task force validation
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has re-activated the Regional Task Force Validation (RTFV) assigned to ensure that all buildings especially for commercial use are in compliance with the Fire Code of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr., BFP-9 Assistant Regional Director for Operations, said the reorganization of the RTFV is in line with Order Number 2008-04 on March 8 signed by BFP Regional Director Gil Jacinto.
Zabala, who is designated as the RTFV, said the task force is tasked to conduct verification, validation, and supervisory inspection of fire safety inspection conducted and reported to their office by all lower units in various buildings and establishments in the region.
The BFP-9 covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.
Zabala said the re-activation of the task force is timely citing they had been receiving numerous reports of violations committed by the owners of large buildings and big establishments "especially those old ones which have been left unabated or uncorrected until this time."
He did not however disclose where are these large building and big establishments that are violating the Fire Code of the Philippines pending verification of the reports.
He said the task force will be coming up with recommendations for appropriate action by the BFP regional head every after fire safety inspections.
Zabala advised the public, especially owners of business establishments to ensure that they are operating in accordance with the Fire Code of the Philippines.
The RTFV is composed of four BFP officers and two personnel with Zabala as the task force chief. (Bong Garcia)
