Press Release May 12, 2009 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:
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