IRE DAMAGE. Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos (center), accompanied by Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region’s C/Supt. Nahum Tarroza, and Philippine General Hospital director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, inspects the fire-hit facility on Monday (March 18, 2024). Abalos lauded the hospital staff for the orderly evacuation of patients on March 13. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)
MANILA – Faulty electrical wiring may have caused last week’s blaze at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila, resulting in an estimated damage of PHP1 million.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., during his visit to the state-run hospital on Monday, also lauded the prompt action by the PGH staff and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) during the March 13 incident.
The fire was contained after reaching the second alarm and some 180 patients were promptly evacuated.
The BFP recommended an overhaul of the PGH’s electrical system.
Abalos was accompanied by BFP-National Capital Region officials, led by C/Supt. Nahum Tarroza, and PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.
“Congratulations to the doctors and staff. They had a system and a fire drill in place,” Abalos said, adding that the BFP will assist in refurbishing the hospital’s electrical systems.
Abalos also cautioned the public against fires, especially amid the dry season that is made worse by the El Niño weather phenomenon. (PNA)
F
