[ Manila Bulletin Online ] October 31, 2008
For failure to comply with standards on fire safety
By BENJIE J. MURILLO
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — The Puerto Princesa City (Palawan) Airport (PPCA), one of the country’s top airfields, is facing closure for alleged non-compliance with fire safety standards and non-payment of "administrative fines," it was reported.
The imposition of the fines is based on an order of payment issued by the Region 4-B office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-4B) to the PPCA manager pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1185, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines.
It was recalled that in January, 2007, the fire safety inspectors (FSI) of Puerto Princesa City, equipped with Mission Order (MO) No. 1087-07, inspected the PPCA to determine the airport’s compliance with fire safety standards.
The FSIs founded major violations and deficiencies, which included non-existence of fire alarm and warning system; non-installation of wet standpipe system; non-availability of emergency lights; absence of pre-fire and exit plans at the airport’s hallways and passengers lounge; non-availability of any firefighting equipment; and failure to conduct fire safety seminars.
A copy of the after-mission report citing the violations was submitted to PPCA for immediate compliance.
On Feb. 21, 2007, the first notice to correct the violations (NTCV) was issued by the PPC fire station to the PPCA authorities who were asked to effect immediate improvements. It is also directed that PCCA comply within 60 days with the rules on fire-safety standards for the protection of the airport and its clients.
When the grace period lapsed, the BFP-4B Task Force Validation (TFV) discovered that PPCA did not comply with its notice, and so another NTCV was issued in April 24, 2007.
It again asked PPCA to make the correction of the violations.
Four months later, armed with Mission Order No. OPFM-2007-055, dated Aug. 13, 2007, TFV team fount out that no effort was done to correct the violations. This prompted the BFP-4B to issue a notice of non-compliance on Sept. 19, 2007. PPCA was given 10 more days to make the corrections.
On Nov. 19, 2007, provincial fire marshal Senior Inspector Donald P. Rodriguez issued a notice for the imposition of administrative fine together with an order directing PPCA to pay a fine of RR6,000 within three days.
When the three-day notice lapsed on Jan. 8, 2008, a notice of non-payment of administrative fine was issued to PPCA to pay the penalty to avoid stoppage of operations and closure of the building.
On March 3, 2008, BFP-4B Director Senior Supt. Norman V. Pinion wrote a letter to Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, informing the latter of the impending closure. He also sought the assistance of the city government to enforce the order pursuant to Sections 41.104 (paragraphs B and C) and 41.107 of PD No. 1185.
On April 15, 2008, BFP-4A sent to Mayor Hagedorn a letter requesting again assistance in the enforcement of the closure order. On the same date, another letter was sent to PPCA officials, asking to provide the fire bureau with its progress report of whatever improvement it had carried out to deter the closure of the airport.
Air Transportation Office (ATO) officials sent to BFP-4B a reply requesting further an extension of grace period to comply with the recommendations of the fire bureau.
A dialogue between BFP-4B and ATO officials was held in an attempt to resolve the issue.
But as of July, this year, BFP-4B had not received a compliance report from ATO or PPCA.
On Oct. 7, 2008, Pinion issued to ATO his last letter requesting for a copy of the official receipt of the payment for the administrative fine of RR6,000 so that the airport would not be closed. ATO or PPCA failed again to provide BFP a copy of the official receipt of payment.
