CITY hall has closed several dormitories in the University belt for safety hazards such as lack of fire exits and fire extinguishers. Eight of them are around UST.
City Administrator Dino Nable ordered the suspension of the permits of 12 dormitories for failing to comply with the safety requirements in two months. The suspension was recommended by City Hall’s Committee on Dormitories.
“We revoked the permits of dormitories with irredeemable damages,” said Louie Manimtim, head of the committee. “However, the owners of dormitories with suspended permits would still be given a chance to fix their dormitories.”
The Committee on Dormitories had inspected 230 boarding houses. It is composed of representatives from the different departments of the Manila City Hall, such as city administrator, building official, Manila Fire Department, Health Department, Electrical Division, and Department of Public Services.
Manimtim said the committee started inspection last January after a fire razed a poorly maintained boarding house in Padre Campa Street, killing eight people.
The list given by Manimtim to the Varsitarian showed that eight of the 12 suspended dormitories are near UST. Two are in Ermita, one in Quiapo, and one in Binondo.
Manimtim said that last June 5, the committee started the second round of its inspection.
Manimtim added that concerned citizens can help the committee’s campaign by sending their complaints on overcrowded and dilapidated dormitories to the Tanggapang M.A.S.A. (Mabilis na Aksyon, Serbisyo Agad) action center or to the city administrator’s office. Both offices are at the Manila City Hall. I. A. L. de Lara
