Razed slipper factory had no fire permit

valenzuela city fire (photo: dennis datu / twitter)

MANILA — Kentex Manufacturing Corp. was given a provisional business permit even without a fire safety inspection certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Results of the investigation conducted by the special inter-agency task force looking into the incident required BFP officials to explain why the factory was allowed to operate even after their failure to obtain a fire safety inspection certificate.

BFP spokesman Renato Marcial said in an interview for the Philippine Star that the fire safety certificate is a pre-requisite in securing a business permit.

Once they failed to secure appropriate permits, “the establishment will not be allowed to operate.”

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian also confirmed the process adding that the issuance of the permit requires certificate from the BFP.

He added that what was given to Kentex was a “provisional business permit” which was “within the mandate of the LGU.”

“What the LGU gave them was a provisional business permit. Now, some people are saying that is not allowed, and let me refer you to all citations: 2010 circular number one, it’s a joint circular of the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government)… In that circular they are trying to address the red tape in getting permits and what they said there was they are enjoining the LGU like Valenzuela to set up one-stop shops,” he said, quoted in a Philippine Star report.

He also added that the joint memorandum also acknowledges the existence of provisional business permits.

Despite this, the BFP remained firm that the LGU should not have issued any form of business permit which will allow the establishment to operate without obtaining a fire safety inspection certificate.