Two fire officials asked to explain safety certificate

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol is set to invite two fire offices to an executive session to shed light on their issuance of a Fire Safety Inspection certificate to Petronas Energy's Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant in Naga City.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Region-7 and the Naga City fire marshal reportedly issued a certificate despite the alleged non-compliance and violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines committed by the Petronas LPG plant.

In an approved resolution, authored by Provincial Board Member Raul Alcoseba, BFP-7 Director Senior Supt. Ma. Luisa Hadjula and Naga City acting fire marshal Senior Insp. Joel Abarquez have been invited to an executive session set on February 17.

The venue, however, has yet to be determined.

Alcoseba pointed out that there is a need to address the issue since it concerns the safety of the residents living near the LPG plant.

 "Kinahanglan ni’g attention kay wa ta kahibalo dunay mahitabo. Delikado ra ba ni kay gas," he said.

The operation of LPG plant in barangay Langtad in Naga City has created apprehension among the residents in the area, he added.

The Petronas LPG plant allegedly failed to comply with the standards set under the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines and the National Fire Protection Association or the LPG Code which pertains to the minimum safety distance from the LPG storage to the perimeter fence which is 122 meters.

Despite the non-compliance and violation, the Office of the City Fire Marshal of Naga City under the Bureau of Fire Protection Region-7 still proceeded to issue a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate in favor of the said Petronas LPG plant, the resolution read.

Petronas earlier claimed that they did not violate the standards under the Fire Code and LPG Code when it put up the gas plant in Naga City.

An investigation was also conducted by BFP-7 where it ruled that Petronas did not violate the law.  (FREEMAN)