"Review of Fire Code sought after deadly Valenzuela blaze", 21 May 2015

A senator is seeking an inquiry in the Senate to review the implementation of the Fire Code of the Philippines...Senator Cynthia Villar has filed Senate Resolution No.1346 which directs a Senate committee to conduct an inquiry on the mechanisms, rules, and guidelines in the implementation of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines, and of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards...The senator also said the possible violation of the Fire Code, which requires a fire safety inspection before the issuance of a business permit, should be probed. In its investigation, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Kentex was able to operate despite the lack of a fire safety certificate. Some survivors also claimed that many of the factory's workers failed to escapebecause the windows were barred with wire and grills, and the fire exits were locked. The Valenzuela city government said that it issued a provisional business permit to Kentex, but added that it was the BFP's responsibility to inspect the factory within 3 days.