Manila, Philippines – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday sacked officials of the Makati City Fire Station whose parked private vehicles were obstructing the fire truck bay.
According to Republic Act 9514 or the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2018” and the 2019 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Obstruction of responding firefighters is strictly prohibited.
During a surprise inspection of the station, Remulla saw the parked vehicles of the concerned personnel blocking the ingress and egress of fire trucks and emergency response ambulances.
Remulla said such obstruction will cause a huge delay in responding to fires and other public safety emergencies where lives and properties are on the line.
Officials found violating the said provisions may be held administratively liable for willful impropriety or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duty in accordance with Section 11 of the Fire Code.
In a press briefing Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro emphasized under the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to further improve public service.
To ensure clear egress routes of fire response assets, the DILG called on fire station chiefs to prohibit any parking in front of or near fire trucks and order the immediate removal of all unauthorized parked vehicles blocking fire response units.