A DAVAO City Councilor has filed an ordinance that will require establishments to install photo-luminescent or glow-in-the-dark signage leading to stairwells, pathways and all available emergency exits.
Councilor Maria Belen “Mabel” Acosta filed the ordinance Tuesday in response to the safety issues related to the NCCC Mall fire that left 38 people dead.
Acosta, in a privilege hour Tuesday, said that the loss of lives, properties and livelihood should be actively addressed not only during disaster and emergency situations but continuously throughout the year.
She further said that adding photo-luminescent signboards are essential in emergency situations where light usually goes out.
“Survivors of the NCCC fire recall that a few seconds after the electricity went out, dark smoke from the fire was already blurring their vision and not all of them could recall the way to the nearest exits," she said.
The councilor also cited that the glow-in-the-dark paint would push people to move towards the right direction in case of emergencies when they usually black out in fear.
"In case the fire starts in areas where electric wires connect the entire building, or near the emergency exits themselves, photo-luminescent signs can point the way to another exits. This option is electricity free, requires minimal maintenance, is longer lasting, and can illuminate a wider area than regular emergency lights," she said.
She added that the proposed resolution is important and urgent and hence, she moved that her speech be considered passed on first reading.