BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The owner of a boardinghouse gutted by fire in Barangay San Nicolas, La Paz district and resulted in two deaths may not be able to resume business operations.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has ordered the Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) to verify reports that the boardinghouse was operating without the necessary permits.
Treñas issued a stern warning to businesses operating without valid permits.
“They will be issued closure orders immediately,” the mayor said.
He directed the Economic Development and Investment Promotion (EDIP), Iloilo City Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO), and the Boarding House Commission to carry out inspections and submit their findings.
Records from the BPLD indicate that, among the seven boardinghouses affected by Sunday’s fire, two failed to renew their permits, while three were operating without any permits whatsoever.
The boardinghouse in question, owned by Rocky Gordon, where two individuals were trapped and perished in the fire, was reportedly plagued by faulty electrical wiring and a defective fire escape.
The city mayor has ordered relevant city hall departments to revoke the business permits of boardinghouses found to be substandard.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has identified the fire fatalities as Lynrose Sobretodo, a 26-year-old call center agent, and Renz Aguilar, a third-year engineering student from Concepcion, Iloilo.
Investigators determined that the victims were trapped on the third floor of their boardinghouse and believe they were asleep in their respective rooms when the fire erupted on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18. The fire escape of the building was found to be defective.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reported that the fire displaced 11 families, or 173 individuals. Relief goods have been distributed to the victims, who are currently taking refuge at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School.
Mayor Treñas announced that the city government would provide at least P100,000 in burial assistance to the families of the victims.
“I extend my condolences to the families of the victims. The city government will provide financial assistance for their burial. The CSWDO is currently supporting the victims. Once again, my condolences to the families of the deceased,” said Treñas. /PN
