MANILA — Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Tuesday ordered an early launch of fire prevention measures in communities amid two fire incidents that have left over 200 families homeless in the last three days.
“We need not wait for March. Let’s go down to the communities and remind people of the risks and if possible, get rid of the hazards,” Bautista said in an interview with the media.
The country traditionally marks fire prevention month at the start of the summer season in March.
“Fire safety campaigns should be done on a regular basis. Fires could happen anytime,” Bautista said.
The city chief executive himself twice lost his home to fire.
At least 100 houses were destroyed in a fire that gutted a community in Barangay Manresa before midnight on Saturday, leaving 200 families homeless while 13 families also lost their homes in another incident on Monday in Barangay N.S. Amoranto.
The city’s social services department immediately provided food and provisions to the affected residents who have sought temporary shelter at the Barangay Manresa covered court.
The city’s engineering department and disaster risk management office have also set up pop huts to house those who lost their homes.
Bautista has tasked City Administrator Aldrin Cuña to coordinate the fire safety campaign with the Bureau of Fire Protection and the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Barangay and Community Relations Department and the Public Affairs and Information Services Department.
