Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) cleared House Technology Industries (HTI) of any violations in connection with the massive fire that engulfed one of its buildings inside the Cavite Economic Zone last week.
The fire resulted in the death of an employee, with more than a hundred others injured.
PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said the fire was an accident, and HTI complied with all safety laws, rules, and regulations.
“Walang pagkakamali [They did nothing wrong], because we conduct inspection of their compliance to fire and occupational safety twice a year,” she said.
“The last time HTI was inspected was in July 2016, and they are so compliant,” Plaza added.
The PEZA director general also said the HTI parent company, HRD Singapore, always topped the annual fire drill competition initiated by PEZA.
HTI had six firetrucks on standby for immediate response, but it took a total of 56 firetrucks to put off the fire, which lasted for almost 2 days.
The Bureau of Fire Protections is yet to finish its investigation and release its findings, but the estimated cost of damage is at P15 billion.
Plaza said the 13,000 HTI employees will continue receiving their salaries so long as they show up for work. They will eventually be absorbed by the four sister companies of HTI, which are also located inside the Cavite Economic Zone.
Data from PEZA show the company has a total of P5.3 billion worth of investments in the Philippines, with exports amounting $775.9 million.
Plaza said the agency will implement changes to equip them better in handling such situations in the future.
“This crisis has brought PEZA on its toes to come out much ready,” Plaza said, “we want PEZA to be equipped with the capability, the equipment, the knowledge, and training that we will be requiring our employees in ecozones.”
Due to the incident, PEZA created an assessment and post-audit committee that would help the agency respond better to such disasters.
