Fire Prevention Concerns Everyone

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Discussion during March 7 Kapehan Forum focused on fire prevention and suppression. On hand to clarify issues and concern were MSP Patricio G. Collado of Kalibo, MSP Joseph Gadang of Ibajay and PO1 Sidgie Gerardo of Kalibo. The occasion marked the celebration of March as Fire Prevention Month as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was created by virtue of RA 6975 whose primary mission is to protect lives and properties from destructive fires. It also enforces the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185) and other related laws. The fire station complete with adequate personnel, fire fighting facilities and equipment shall be located in each provincial capital, city and municipality subject to rules and regulations promulgated by DILG.

Unfortunately, there are only 10 serviceable fire trucks in the Province of Aklan where Kalibo has three units. Virtually, more than half of Aklan’s 17 towns have no fire fighting capability, their fate of survival hanging on the balance. The BFP is painfully aware of the presence of vintage/rolling coffin fire trucks, shortage of firemen and equipment like fire resistant boots, suit, hard hat, and all others.

In order to overcome the problem, fire fighters from neighboring or distant towns volunteer in case of emergencies. But there is no substitute for local readiness and availability. Basic knowledge about nature of fire whether caused by gas, electrical or chemical is to contain the spread within the first 15 minutes from its incipient stage. The need of an ABC fire extinguisher in each commercial, industrial, residential and institutional facility can not be over emphasized. LGU Kalibo has passed a resolution requesting DILG for additional fire truck. Saddled by inadequate funds, the BFP coordinates with LGU’s and civic organizations especially the business and manufac-turing sectors.

It was underscored that although March has the most number of fire occurrences in the Philippines, fire could erupt anytime and anywhere. Hence, the need for vigilance and protection. The BFP in Region 6 is striving to educate more people on the importance of emergency procedures, personal safety and immediate evacuation during all fire alarms. Kalibo’s BFP hotline Pantelco – 143 or (036) 268-2143 or Cruztelco – 160 should be posted in a conspicuous place inside the house or building for easy referral, the guest resource persons suggested.

The provincial capitol has been hard hit by fires causing death and economic dislocation way back in the early fifties (commercial complex at Rizal St.), late sixties (Public market at the back of Kalibo Cathedral) and mid-nineties (Purok 3 at C. Laserna St.). Other places like public market of Boracay was razed to the ground in 2006 while Ibajay and Banga have their ordeal in 2008.

All told, millions worth of property and human lies could have been saved if the vision of BFP to become world class protection agency was ever realized.

It appears that pork barrel funds of congressmen and senators are deliberately channeled to other priorities. At the present pace of development, it could take decades given the in-difference and apathy of our leaders in forestalling crisis to have adequate fire prevention and protection equipment. Every citizen is urged to rally behind the BFP in their modernization plan and the need for information dissemination on fire prevention, safety, and control. Current target of educational campaign are schools and barangays where Volunteer Fire Brigades and Brgy. Tanods are organized to act as first responders in case of fire outbreak. /MP