Pasay mayor revives fire monitoring task force

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad revived yesterday barangay-based fire monitoring teams to prevent future outbreak of fire in the city.

Trinidad reactivated Task Force Bantay Sunog (TFBS) after Barangay 2001, Zone 20 was hit twice by fire, displacing some 200 families and razing some P10 million worth of property this week.

Trinidad said although March, the fire prevention month, is still less than two months away, there is a need for all barangay leaders and residents to be vigilant.

He said that last Tuesday’s incident was triggered by the overloading outlet for appliances connected to electrical jumpers while Thursday’s blaze, some 500 meters away from the first scene, was caused by the overheating of an electric fan.

"It is the responsibility of the barangay officials to ensure that their areas are clean of these illegal connections. The TFBS should be on double red alert," mayor said.

Janet Deriada, public information chief at city hall, said the directive applies to all barangays. The teams will conduct 24-hour monitoring and in case of fire, they should immediately alert the fire department and secure families. – Evelyn Macairan