Philippine businesses warned to follow safety standards

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III warned Monday business establishments that their permit to operate would be revoked if they fail to follow safety standards.

Aquino told reporters that he already ordered the inspection of 300,000 establishments in the National Capital Region.

"The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has to conduct the fire safety inspection. If you pass, (this) will result in the issuance of a certificate, which is a pre-requisite to operate your business," he said.

But if the establishments failed to pass the inspection, he said, the government would implement a "usual carrot and stick approach."

"The stick is (if) you violated the law, you will be penalized. The carrot is those that lack the capacity to be able to do so, we will help them to enhance their capabilities to enforce all of these laws," Aquino said.

The president ordered the inspection of the establishments following the fire that engulfed a footwear factory on May 13 in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila and left 72 people killed.

Aquino said he wanted to make sure that the tragic incident would not happen again. Endi