Substandard wiring installations, improper housekeeping, and dilapidated structures that are prone to fire, were noted at the Negros Oriental High School in an inspection by the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 7, in line with Oplan Balik Eskwela, recently.

Supt. Maria Luisa Hadjula, BFP regional director, who was accompanied by Maj. Ranulfo Sayson, Negros Oriental provincial fire marshal; and Maj. William Tacaldo, city fire marshal, in the inspection, said several other violations of the Building and Fire codes were also noted, like the lack of fire extinguishers and the absence of exit doors in most classrooms.

The classrooms only have swing-in entrance doors that are not allowed under the new regulations; portion of the library was used as a kitchen with a gas range; there were exposed wiring connections and obstructions in the doors of two classrooms, she added.

NOHS principal Ernesto Ronald Tenorio said most of the school buildings were constructed several decades ago when the Building and the Fire codes had not been in place yet.

He said the bigger problem now is where to get the budget to correct the deficiencies. Tenorio said he will ask the help of the school alumni to repair the campus facilities.

The BFP also inspected the West City Elementary School, the Negros Oriental State University, and various dormitories in Dumaguete.

Hadjula said her findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the Department of Education, the Interior and Local Government, and concerned school officials.*JG

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