INTERIOR Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla yesterday said inspectors from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be required to wear body cameras as part of efforts to rid the bureau of corruption.
“They will be wearing body cams. Their conversation, their inspection, everything should be recorded,” Remulla told an interview with radio DzBB.
Remulla said he has issued a memorandum circular calling for the acquisition of 5,000 body cameras for the BFP next year.
“We will have a system because our fire inspectors are so notorious when it comes to the sale of fire extinguishers,” Remulla.
“Their conversation, their inspection should be (recorded). And if there will be complaints, we are going to check with the (recorded) conversation,” said Remulla.
Remulla said he continues to receive reports about fire inspectors recommending a specific brand of fire extinguishers during inspection before the issuance of building permits.
A few days ago, Remulla said the Italian ambassador to the Philippines complained about a Taguig City fire inspector.
“He (fire inspector) went to the consular office of Italy. The fire inspector of Taguig said ‘This is not the fire extinguisher brand that we recommend,” said Taguig.
“That is not right,” said Remulla, adding that fire extinguishers — that buildings are required to have — should be about “standards” and not a specific brand.
Remulla acknowledged that erring fire inspectors get large sums of commissions if they recommend a specific brand of fire extinguishers.
“If you will notice, SM, All Home, Robinson were selling these before. Now, they stopped…because they (fire inspectors) are recommending suppliers,” said Remulla.
