By Sarwell Meniano/ PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regional office here has again called on the public to observe fire safety as the country kicks off the observance of the 53rd Fire Prevention Month on March 1.
Senior Supt. Renato Marcial, BFP Eastern Visayas regional director, said in a press briefing Wednesday that the best defense against fire incidents is community participation, such as the people exercising caution, vigilance and common sense to minimize or eliminate fire hazards.
The BFP field office here has lined up several activities to raise public awareness on the importance of fire safety and prevention and everyone’s role to achieve a zero fire incident.
During the kick-off ceremony on March 1, there will be a unity walk around the city’s downtown area, motorcade, and Zumba dance to be led by actress Regine Tolentino.
“We want the community to be aware that we are observing fire prevention month and each one can do something to ensure fire safety. Several activities will be held simultaneously in different areas to instill among the community that fire safety is everybody’s concern,” Marcial told reporters.
The month-long activities are centered on fire safety awareness campaign through the distribution of leaflets, posters and other information materials and lectures on fire prevention.
There are also inspections of establishments, testing of fire hydrants, fire disaster emergency evacuation planning, fire drills, monitoring of all hazard operations, identification of fire-prone areas and conduct of pre-fire planning to areas identified, and caravans.
The month-long observance is anchored on the theme “Ligtas na Pilipinas Ating Kamtin, Bawat Pamilya Ay Sanayin, Kaalaman sa Sunog ay Palawakin”.
Fire Prevention Month dates back to 1967 when then President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 115-A assigning safety and accident prevention to each month of the year.
Fire incidents in Eastern Visayas rose to 273 in 2018 from 202 a year earlier. The BFP recorded four fire-related deaths and a total damage cost of PHP156.49 million. Electrical connections and unattended cooking stove are the two most common causes of fire incidents in the region.
