Make use of break to test safety of student houses, Villar urges fire bureau

Nacionalista Party President Sen. Manny Villar today urged concerned agencies of government to examine the safety features of dormitories and boarding houses around Metro Manila before the resumption of classes in June.

"Since there is no regular schedule for the inspection of student houses to check compliance with proper sanitary, fire and safety codes, I would like to propose that the government endorse a regular schedule preferably during the academic break just before the start of the school year," Villar said.

Villar said it should be ascertained that safety measures to facilitate humane conditions in building establishments, such as the Republic Act 6541 or the National Building Code of the Philippines are strictly followed.

In June 2006, BFP ordered the closure of 12 out of 309 total dormitories or boarding houses after discerning that these student houses do not comply with the requirements and standards prescribed by law, after confirming that the dormitory owners incessantly ignore the orders for compliance despite sufficient lead time given to them.

Inspectors have found a large number of dormitories that have violations against measures prescribed, with the following statistics: 118 in Manila; 1 in Caloocan; 4 in Pasay; 3 in Paranaque; 2 in Makati; 10 in Las Pinas; 1 in Muntinlupa; and 2 in Mandaluyong.

"These statistics reveal that a large number of houses of buildings being resided mostly by the students have questionable safety standards and/or proper documentations, jeopardizing the safety of the occupants," Villar said.

Villar also filed Senate Resolution 965, urging the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement to look into the present conditions of dormitories and boarding houses vis-�-vis the safety of the occupants from structural defects and inhuman living conditions with the end in view of providing regular inspections, promoting sanitation and recommending remedial policy measures aimed at assisting the safety of settlers, students and boarders.

There should be comprehensive laws governing the protection of the occupants of dormitories and boarding houses including the facilitation of regular inspections to ensure the provision of proper sanitation facilities, proper ventilation, adequate fire protection and efficient lighting and electricity constituting to a pleasant and comfortable living condition for occupants, he said.

The former Senate president also proposed the following amendments to the law to improve the conditions and ensure the safety of dormitories and boarding houses:

• there should be consciousness in relation to safety and the importance of attaining healthful living conditions within the community, emanating from the local officials, supported by offices assigned to ensure public health and safety, down to the barangay levels and the dormitory owners and its occupants to comply and ensure the attainment of a safe and accident-free neighborhood conducive for learning and well-being of the students living in dormitories

• regular inspections of student apartments, dormitories and boarding houses shall be conducted, whereby a schedule of regular inspection must be endorsed by the government, preferably during vacation just before the start of every school year to ensure the compliance of the dormitories with safety standards and building procedures

• to prevent occurrence of previous cases demonstrating neglect of duty of inspectors who were assigned by local government or government agencies to conduct inventory on the conditions of dormitories, the inspectors assigned should be motivated to live by the virtue of professionalism and commitment to public service in the performance of their duty, avoiding illegal arrangements that facilitate acceptance of bribery or favors from dormitory owners so as to prevent compromising the safety of the occupants

• an organized registration of dormitories and boarding houses should be endorsed by the government; hence obliging the housing owners to abide by the prescribed standards or otherwise shoulder the consequences bearing the accountability of their violation.