KENTEX Manufacturing Corp. confirmed Thursday that the company has been offering victims' families and survivors a sum of money in exchange for their commitment not to press charges in relation to the deadly fire last May 13.
But Kentex's lawyer Renato Paraiso clarified that it was the families of some 10 victims who expressed desire for a settlement payout, which costs P136,000.
Paraiso placed the amount at around P130,000.
“Pinaabot sa amin na gusto na nilang mag-settle ang ginagawa po namin nag reach out tayo sa kanila (families) kasi itong mga taong ito gusto na rin mag-move on pero pinapaalam namin na ito lang ang kaya namin at kung tatangapin nila or kung hindi, hindi naman natin pinipilit,” he told Sun.Star.
After receiving the money, the lawyer said the families signed a document waiving all their legal claims against Kentex.
The company may face charges for violation of the Fire Code as a result of a two-week inter-agency probe into the incident that killed 72 people.
Among the violations allegedly committed by Kentex include no automatic fire suppression system or water sprinklers, no fire detection and alarm system, no dry standpipe, no protected fire escape, and no organized fire brigade.
“Gaya ng nasabi na namin noon pa, hindi kami tatakbo at haharapin ng Kentex ang anumang kailangan harapin and we will fulfill the promises we made para sa ayuda ng mga nasunugan,” Paraiso said.
Kentex has given an initial cash assistance of P20,000 for the families of the victims and survivors on top of the grocery items.
Paraiso said the owner of the slipper factory was also offering burial assistance to relatives of victims whose bodies were badly burnt. The bodies are still undergoing identification. (Sunnex)