BFP: Kalibo Public Market Is Fire Prone

By Boy Ryan B. Zabal

Chief Insp. Dennis Daymon of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Aklan said they would be more stricter in the inspection of establishments in the fire-prone Kalibo Public Market before allowing them to operate. "Kalibo public market is fire prone", Daymon stressed.
BFP-Aklan has launched a massive information drive and activities under the theme, "Pambansang Pagkakaisa Laban sa Sunog" on the occasion of Fire Prevention Month – March, he added."It was observed that some stall owners violated the existing municipal ordinance prohibiting them from cooking inside the public market. There is a need to intensify our fire suppression and prevention effort in the area and to be always on alert to respond to fire incidents," Daymon stressed.According to the provincial fire marshal, the stall owners should be extra careful to avoid possible violations of fire safety and they should support the call for fire awareness campaign of BFP to prevent fire incidents.
"Despite the lack of firetrucks in Aklan, we are determined to conduct fire awareness and consciousness campaign to the public to prevent the occurrence of fire and save lives and properties," Daymon said.
Last week, BFP Aklan under the Department of Interior and Local Government paraded their firetrucks and other fire-fighting equipment to kick-off the month long activities. Aklan province has 37 personnel and seven fire stations which are in Kalibo, Numancia, Altavas, Ibajay, New Washington, Balete, and the island of Boracay.
Meanwhile, the Gaisano mall in Kalibo has padlocked its rear door since in the late 2006. This closure compels Gaisano clients to pass through the door designed for physically handicapped person in single line as the passage is only good for one person at a time to pass through. This situation is so dangerous in case of fire. Until today, BFP has failed to open that rear door facing the parking lot. /MP