Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Saturday, Sept. 2, ordered several city government departments to conduct thorough inspection on businesses located in residential areas and subdivisions in the city to ensure the safety and welfare of the QCitizens.

The mayor instructed the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD), Department of Building Official (DBO), Zoning Administration Unit, and the Quezon City Fire District (QCFD) to launch the inspection following the fire incident in Pleasant View Subdivision, Barangay Tandang Sora  on Thursday, Aug. 31, where a residence-turned-manufacturing building caught fire which led to the death of 15 individuals including a three-year-old girl.

“Ang trahedyang ito ay naiwasan sana kung walang palusot at panlilinlang na nangyari. Buhay ang naging kapalit ng hindi tamang pagsunod sa ating mga batas at regulasyon. Hindi natin ito hahayaang maulit. Mananagot ang dapat managot, at isasara natin ang dapat isarang negosyo na hindi sumusunod sa tama (This tragedy could have been avoided if there were no excuses and deception that happened. Lives were lost because of disobedience to our laws and regulations. We will not allow this to happen again. Those who are responsible will be held accountable, and we will shut down businesses that do not comply with the right standards),” Belmonte said.

According to the city government’s initial investigation,
the owners of the two-storey t-shirt factory had several misdeclarations regarding their business activity when they applied for a business permit at the BPLD.

Belmonte earlier said that based on initial investigation, the 200 square meter-building was utilized as a t-shirt printing house which was contrary to what the owner declared to the BPLD that they will only operate in 15 square meters of land as a “trader/ contractor” of ready to wear clothes, garments, and bags.

The establishment also does not have a building permit under the name of the owner and the same address, the DBO said.

It added that the establishment was operating under the name "MGC Wearhouse Inc." and had been a registered business since 2013. The said corporation was managed by five individuals including the owner the house who also died during fire.

However, the city government said that due to the its implementation of automated and simplified business procedures, they found out that the business could no longer operate in the subdivision. In April 2023, the owner was asked to relocate his business within a year.

“Kalunos-lunos ‘yung nangyaring sunog na hindi mangyayari kung tama sana ang idineklarang negosyo ng korporasyon. Mas hihigpitan pa natin ‘yung proseso at assessment bago makakuha ng permit lalo na para sa mga negosyong nakatayo o itatayo sa loob ng subdivisions o high-density residential areas (The heartbreaking fire incident could have been avoided if the corporation had declared their business correctly. We will tighten the process and assessment before issuing permits, especially for businesses located or planned within subdivisions or high-density residential areas),” Belmonte said.

Furthermore, the City Legal Department has established a Special Panel of Investigators to probe the fire incident and if warranted by evidence, to file appropriate legal charges against remaining officers of the corporation who are still alive.

These charges may include reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries; violation(s) of the Fire Code (Republic Act 9514); violation(s) of the Building Code (PD 1096); and violation(s) of Labor Laws and Standards.

Administrative and criminal cases will also be filed against any local government officials who are found to be liable after following the completion of the investigation, the city govenrment said.

Belmonte directed Quezon City Lawyer Niño Casimiro to provide legal assistance to the survivors and the victims’ families who want to file civil cases against MGC Wearhouse, Inc.

“Tinitingnan din natin ‘yung posibleng kamalian o pagkukulang ng government personnel na humahawak ng mga ganitong permit o dokumento. Kahit ang mga taga-lokal na pamahalaan, barangay at homeowner’s association, titingnan natin kung may kapabayaan. Imo-monitor na rin natin ‘yung mga negosyo na dumadaan sa mga Homeowners Association at mga barangay (We are also looking into the possible  lapses of the government personnel handling such permits or documents. We will also investigate if there is negligence committed by local government person, barangay and homeowner's association. Businesses under Homeowners Associations and barangays will also be monitored),” the mayor said.

“Umaasa rin ako sa tulong at suporta ng taumbayan. Bukas ang lokal na pamahalaan sa anumang reklamo o sumbong ninyo kung mayroon mga illegal na negosyo sa inyong lugar para mabilis natin itong matigil at mailigtas ang mga inosenteng trabahador, at pati kayong mga nasa komunidad (I also rely on the help and support of the community. The local government is open to any complaints or reports you may have regarding illegal businesses in your area so that we can promptly put a stop to them and save innocent workers, as well as the members of our community),” She said.

The City's Social Services Development Department  provided various support to the families of the victims while the Philippine National Police - Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOC)) conducts its own investigation on the incident.

The city government said it will provide essential services to the families of the victims including burial aid, financial support, and assistance with livelihood opportunities, in order to assist them in recovering from the tragic event.

“Habang hinihintay natin ang resulta ng DNA test at imbestigasyon ng SOCO at iba pang ahensya, nagbigay na ng pansamantalang tirahan ang lokal na pamahalaan para sa kanilang pamilya na lumuwas mula sa Mindoro at iba pang lugar, ( The local government has already  provided temporary shelter for their families who have traveled from Mindoro and other areas while we await for the the results of the DNA test and investigations from SOCO and other agencies),” Belmonte said.