Malacañang on Wednesday backed the decision of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla to relieve several officials of the Makati City Fire Station after their private vehicles were caught blocking the fire truck driveway in violation of the Fire Code.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Remulla’s move reflects President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s zero tolerance policy against careless public service.
“This is in line with the President’s directive to further improve the performance of all government offices across the country,” Castro said. “There’s no room for slacking off in public service. Everyone should be working.”
Remulla on Tuesday sacked the concerned personnel of the Makati City Fire Station after conducting a surprise inspection. He found their personal vehicles parked in the entry and exit routes of fire trucks and emergency ambulances.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said such obstruction could result in serious delays in responding to fires and other public safety emergencies where lives and properties are at stake.
Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines provide that there should be no obstructions in the ingress and egress of fire trucks and emergency response vehicles nor should there be any prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the fire service.
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.
To ensure clear exit 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.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) through spokesperson Fire Superintendent Annalee Carbajal-Atienza assured Remulla that such lapses will not be tolerated and measures will be strictly implemented to ensure the fire stations’ adherence to the Fire Code.
