THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Davao Region is yet to obtain a copy of the final report of the Interagency Anti-arson Task Force (IATF) on their investigation to the NCCC mall fire incident, citing that it is still under review and evaluation at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Fire Senior Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, BFP-Davao director, said on Wednesday during the AFP-PNP press corps forum that they have no furnished copy of the final document submitted by the task force this Monday to DILG.
“I was informed that the interagency anti-arson task force was able to submit their final fire investigation report with regards to the incident that happened in NCCC Mall and I think the Department now is into review and evaluation of the findings. [It is] very unfortunate that the region was not able to have a copy,” Kwan Tiu said.
He said that when the evaluation on the investigation has been completed, they will be requesting a copy of it for them to have a clearer picture of the incident.
“The region will be requesting the department to provide us the copy so that those people who are involved and for the review of the findings of the task force,” he said.
The IATF was activated by virtue of the department order. It is an interagency composed of the DILG-BFP, the PNP and DOJ through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other groups with specialty on fire investigation as well as the construction site of the building.
“The report is still subject for review and evaluation by the department so automatically the task force will forward the report to the secretary of DILG for his appraisal and at the same time approval of the findings,” the BFP-Davao chief said.
Likewise, Kwan Tiu said that in line with celebration of the Fire Prevention Month, they are intensifying their fire safety inspection on various establishments especially those with many occupants including schools, call center offices, department stores and malls.
“Titingnan po ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection yong kaayusan ng mga establishments para maiwasan yong nangyari noong December 23,” he said.
Cognizant of the fact that they have less number of fire inspectors in the region, thus, he urged the business owners to comply with the safety standards for their own sake and its people.