Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (CNN Philippines) — A local official said gross negligence was the reason behind the fire that razed the Old Public Market here last May 18.
City Councilor Rocky Austria pointed at Areza-Cruz Realty Development Corporation, the market’s administrator, as the culprit in the fire that razed razed more than 100 market stalls.
At the Sangguniang Panglungsod’s regular session on Monday (June 1) Austria told Engr. Pet Gabucayan, the Areza-Cruz asst. operation manager, “You said you saw snarled, old wirings in the market, but did you do anything to fix these?”
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said they are looking into faulty electrical wiring as one of the causes behind the fire that has affected the livelihood of around 200 vendors.
The BFP added structural damages were over P6 million.
The ongoing investigation revealed that the fire broke out at the stall of Judith Capinig. The BFP is looking for Capinig for interrogation.
Gabucayan said their electricians backed out because they felt threatened “of any untoward incidents due to the defiance of Muslim vendors there.”
Austria said regardless of what the vendors reactions may be, their first responsibility should have been the safety of the vendors and the public.
The councilor added the vendors’ unregulated use of electric appliances may have also caused the fire.
City Councilor Vicky De Guzman, meanwhile, criticized the BFP as the council’s interrogation revealed that no fire inspection had been made since Areza-Cruz took over the public market.
De Guzman told the BFP, “Your mandate is to inspect that is why you are obligated to go to Areza-Cruz and ask them to submit the requirements for inspection.”
She added, “Under a city ordinance you are supposed to secure business permit, especially from stall owners, which includes fire inspection.”
