Dormitory inspection resumes in Manila

Monitoring teams from the Manila City Hall resumed the inspection of dormitories in the city yesterday to prevent another fire similar to last year’s incident that left eight persons dead.

Louie Manimtim, MCH’s committee on dormitories head, said the one-month moratorium on inspections issued by City Administrator Gaudencio Nable has ended so they revived their inspection and monitoring of dorms in the city.

"We would first address the complaints that we received during the time we suspended our operations. So far, we have received at least eight complaints, including reports on dormitories operating without proper permits, overcrowding, poor lighting and ventilation," said Manimtim.

Most of the complaints were received through telephone, e-mail and mail.

One major concern of dormitory residents is the lack of fire exits in some establishments.

There are 230 registered dormitories in Manila and about 700 illegal boarding houses.

On Jan. 9 last year, eight occupants of a two-story boarding house died when fire gutted the building. The establishment, located in Sampaloc district, was made of combustible materials. Four others were reportedly injured when they jumped from the second floor.

The MCH is also after fly-by-night boarding houses or residential homes whose rooms are being rented out by owners.

"We would implement stricter regulations against these fly-by-night establishments," Manimtim said.

Last year, the MCH has closed 12 dormitories found to have major deficiencies such as dilapidated facilities, lack of fire exits, insufficient number of comfort rooms, poor ventilation, open live wires, dangling electrical wires and lack of fire hoses.