Fire Services Department (FSD) : The FSD is concerned about the recent publication of a magazine report and comments on the "Legal Regime for Fire Safety in Buildings and Venues", and respects and understands the views of the relevant parties.

In fact, in the Bill on the Legal Regime for the Fire Safety of Buildings and Venues submitted to the Legislative Council, the SAR Government has given full consideration to the current situation of the management of stratified buildings in Macao, especially the management of old buildings which do not yet have a management body formed by a resolution of the stratified building Owners' Assembly (commonly known as "owners' associations"). Accordingly, in the light of the relevant provisions of the current Law No. 14/2017 on the Legal System for the Management of the Common Part of a stratified Building, including the obligations of the owner of the stratified building under Article 5 (1) and the duties of the "owners' association" under Article 43 (1) (10), the responsibility for fire safety of the common part of a building is determined.

In other words, the provision in Article 11 of the Act on the responsibility of "owners' associations" for the fire safety conditions of buildings is not new and is in full accordance with the relevant provisions of Law No. 14/2017 on the Legal Regime for the Management of Common Parts of Strata Buildings.

You can't rely on the rule of law alone

The SAR Government proposes to formulate a "Legal Regime for Fire Safety of Buildings and Venues" with the aim of promoting public participation in the work of fire safety of buildings and venues and sharing due social responsibilities, so as to more effectively protect the lives, property and environmental safety of individuals and provide a solid and effective legal guarantee for building Macao into a livable and viable city. Therefore, fire safety is not only the responsibility of the authorities, nor can we rely solely on the legal system, but also requires the joint efforts of the Government, the trade and the residents to shoulder their due responsibilities and play their roles in order to build a better community fire environment.

Listen to public opinion

In the future legislative process, the SAR Government will work closely with the Legislative Council, actively communicate with each other, and continue to listen to feedback from the community, in an effort to build consensus on the bill from various sectors and strive for its early introduction, so as to implement fire safety work in various buildings and specific venues.

-- Taken from Macao Daily News on January 15, 2021