THE Cebu Provincial Capitol Building may not have been compliant with fire safety regulations.
“It’s really a shock to be going around the Capitol and there’s no fire extinguishers lying around the corridors,” said Governor Pamela Baricuatro in a press conference on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Aside from the noticeable absence of fire extinguishers in hallways, Baricuatro also noted a lack of emergency exits when she roamed around the building.
The governor said she also did not see any Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines, which are essential for first aid response.
When asked if the Capitol has not been compliant with the Fire Safety Code, the governor answered, “I suppose so.”
However, Baricuatro said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP 7) has assured her that they will help in the installation of fire extinguishers.
“If we have to procure it, then we will procure it. It’s for the safety of the Capitol,” she said.
“Imagine, (it’s a) National Heritage (site), unya unsafe... That’s something we need to prioritize,” Baricuatro added.
Baricuatro said the BFP 7 also suggested training personnel from each Capitol department in first aid and fire fighting to make the
building safer.
Baricuatro said they will set a schedule for the training of two representatives from each department in coordination with the BFP 7.
The Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) has recorded over 200 fire extinguishers placed in all the offices at the Capitol.
Meanwhile, Baricuatro raised concern over “leakage problems” at the Capitol Building particularly at the Planning and Engineering offices.
“It really needs to be maintained because this is a heritage site. It could be better,” she said.
Hector Jamora of the Provincial Engineering Office said their office had conducted an inventory and found the need for electrical and mechanical repairs.
Jamora instructed Capitol engineers to visit each office to assess their repair and maintenance needs.
He also shared that he met with Capitol engineers earlier today and instructed them to visit each office to assess repair and maintenance needs. / with reports from Divine Grace Bendanillo, CNU Intren, John Mart Mabalhin,VSU Intern