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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Disaster waiting to happen?': 42 solons seek inquiry on post office fire

'Disaster waiting to happen?': 42 solons seek inquiry on post office fire

Published May 24, 2023 12:10 pm
(Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)

At least 42 House members are calling on the lower chamber to hold an inquiry on the disastrous fire that destroyed the historic Manila Central Post Office building in Manila. The solons affixed their signatures to House Resolution (HR) No.1019, principally authored by Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Christopher de Venecia, chairman of the House Committee on Creative Industry & Performing Arts. In a statement Wednesday, May 24, the solons said the probe on the post office blaze is necessary, “considering its significance as a heritage site, with the end view of addressing the government’s intervention and mandates, as well as maximizing the government’s effort in protecting, preserving, and safeguarding our heritage sites". The resolution was filed Tuesday, May 23, a day after firefighters put out the flames within the century-old building. The full title of the resolution reads, "A resolution urging the House of Representatives through the appropriate committee of the House of Representatives, to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the recent fire incident at the Manila Central Post Office, considering its significance as an important cultural property."
The blaze reportedly began late Sunday night, May 21. “There have been news reports that the historic MCPO building did not have any kind of fire suppression system or even water sprinklers," De Venecia said. “It took about 30 hours to declare fire out. Apparently, this may have been a disaster waiting to happen," he added. "We will certainly take a close look to ascertain the real timeline of events from during the fire and the building maintenance and security logs,” he vowed. “Later on, we also want to know from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System), which insures government property, to identify the old buildings of the government have no fire suppression systems, especially the historic ones, including the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the National Library, and the University of the Philippines (UP),” the congressman from Pangasinan added. De Venecia says the 42 backers of the sought inquiry are part of the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Bloc (ACCIB) in the current 19th Congress.

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