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The Palace on Thursday said President Benigno Aquino III has met with government officials to discuss the deadly blaze that hit a factory in Valenzuela last May 13.
Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said among the concerns discussed in the meeting were compliance with occupational safety and health, and labor laws.
“Meron ding mga napansin na maaaring hindi pagsunod sa fire and safety regulations na nasa pangangasiwa naman ng local government at ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),” Coloma said.
“Kaya’t ang nais ng Pangulo ay yung integrated multidisciplinary approach para maging mas mahigpit o mas responsive yung ating legal framework at mapanagot natin ang lahat ng mga may-ari ng establisyementong nag-i-empleyo ng mga manggagawa sa mas mataas na antas ng kaligtasan at kalusugan para sa kanilang mga manggagawa dahil hinding-hindi natin nais na maulit pa muli ang naganap,” he added.
He said the President wants the concerned agencies to report what can be done to avoid a similar tragedy in the future.
Seventy-two workers were killed in the blaze that gutted the two-storey factory building of Kentex Manufacturing Corp.
“Siguro yung iba dito would require amendment to certain laws. Naipunto na nung nakaraan ng DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) na karamihan sa mga nakasaad sa existing occupational safety and health regulations natin ay noon pang 1978 naisabatas at walang criminal penalties na nakahain,” said Coloma.
Text: Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News
Photo: Dennis Datu, dzMM (Twitter)
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
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