March fire incidents drop, but deaths rise

CEBU, Philippines - Forty-one fire incidents were reported in the whole of Central Visayas for the month of March alone which is ironically the Fire Prevention Month.

The Bureau of Fire Protection, though, showed that the figure is lower compared to last year of the same period with 49 reported incidents with Region-7 having lower fire incidents compared to other regions.

This was according to BFP regional director Aloveel Ferrer who said that the Cebu City government is the most active and supportive to the activities relative to fire prevention, most especially in the dissemination of information to help raise public awareness. 

Records of the BFP showed that damages to property for this year reached P2.289 million but that this is much lower compared to last year which reached P3.725 million.

However, it is sad to note that this year’s toll on lives increased to three with the death of three kids in barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.

In March of last year, one was killed while 13 were injured. Four were reported injured this year including firefighters who were responding to the incidents.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, head of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council and one of the awardees of the BFP for his unwavering support to the bureau, said that they are doing their best to prevent more fire incidents through information dissemination and trainings.

“Kanunay tang mag-conduct og trainings pero karon atong main concern gyod basta naay ing-ana is ang crowd control,” Carillo said.

Meanwhile, the ceremony for the culmination of the fire prevention month took place yesterday with BFP awarding officials and agencies that have showed excellence in their efforts to prevent fire incidents and implement activities that raise awareness on fire prevention.

Aside from Carillo, the other awardees were Arthur Chan, member of the Provincial Board of Siquijor; Mayor Ernesto Reyes of Guihulngan in Oriental Negros, Talisay City DSWD officer Felipa Solana, Engr. Rolando Ardoza and Alvin Santillana of the CCDCC, and Talisay Mayor Socrates Fernandez.

BFP also awarded the Best Provincial Office Award to BFP-Bohol, the Best City Fire Station to Lapu-Lapu City, and the Best Municipal Fire Station to Panglao, Bohol.

PNP stations and Tourist Police Units of Tagbilaran City, Carmen and Loboc in Bohol were also awarded as well as other BFP members.

The student winners and participants of the contests carried out during the observance of the fire prevention month were also recognized during the activity as well as the firemen who excelled during the Fire Olympics done also within the month. – AJ dela Torre/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)