Implementation of Fire Safety Measures

February 5, 1997 REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 05-97 SUBJECT : Implementation of Fire Safety Measures TO : All Internal Revenue Officials, Employees and Others Concerned For the information and guidance of all internal revenue officials, employees and others concerned, quoted hereunder is the Memorandum of Executive Secretary Ruben D. Torres dated January 15, 1997. prLL "MEMORANDUM TO : Heads of Departments, Agencies, and Government Instrumentalities, including Government-Owned-and-Controlled- Corporations SUBJECT : Implementation of Fire Safety Measures DATE : 15 January 1997 The President has noted with concern that fires had occurred in several government buildings including those of the Department of Justice, Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, the AFP-Logistics Command and (AFP-LOGCOM), and the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), among others. The President has also observed that the causes of said fires were mainly attributable to faulty electrical wiring, otherwise stated carelessness (e.g., lack of proper inspection of electrical wiring) and the non-institution of necessary fire safety and preventive measures. In this connection, pursuant to the instruction of the President, you are hereby directed to establish proper fire safety and protection system and procedure which shall include preventive and reactive measures against fire. It is hereby emphasized that appropriate fire safety measures, should include, but not limited to, the following: 1. Conduct of regular building inspections in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection; 2. Inspection of circuit breakers and electrical wiring systems to promptly detect any electrical overloading; 3. Installation/rehabilitation of fire alarm system, fire exits/escapes, and fire-fighting equipment such as fire hose, fire anchors, automatic fire suppression system, etc.; 4. Conduct of appropriate fire safety orientation/training for personnel, periodic fire drills, and evacuation operation exercises; and 5. Proper building/office maintenance measures. In addition, a fire protection officer and/or fire marshal shall be designated to oversee the institutionalization and implementation of the necessary fire safety systems and procedures in your agencies, with the assistance of the Bureau of Fire Protection. For any failures at implementing fire safety measures, or for any fire occurrence in your respective buildings or offices, conduct immediate investigation with the view of pinpointing responsibility and/or liability, and take necessary legal actions against negligent officials as warranted by evidence. Submit a status report on actions taken relative to this instruction to my office, copy furnished the Head Presidential Management Staff on or before 20 January 1997. For compliance. By authority of the President: (SGD) RUBEN D. TORRES Executive Secretary" All revenue officials and employees are enjoined to give this circular as wide a publicity as possible. LIWAYWAY VINZONS-CHATO Commissioner of Internal Revenue