Fire incidents both in Davao City and Davao Region increased in February of this year, according to an official.
Fire Inspector Paul Jorge Barozzo, spokesperson of the Bureau of Fire Protection 11 (BFP 11), reported on Wednesday that in February, a total of 48 and 135 fire incidents were recorded in Davao City and Davao Region, respectively.
Barozzo said for Davao City, fire incidents rose to 48 from 38 recorded in the same period last year, while for the Davao Region the number of incidents rose to 135 from 96 in the same period last year.
He also said most of the 135 fire incidents in Davao Region were involving residential and seven were commercial.
“Ang nakakabahala ang commercial which is seven last month compared to one fire incident last year that led to losses of livelihood to our businessmen,” Barozzo said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Barozzo said among the contributing factors of fire is the warming of the weather.
“But the BFP assured the public that we are ready to respond to any fire emergencies and natural disasters that may arise,” he said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection Regional 11 is celebrating the full month of March as Fire Prevention Month to be highlighted with fire safety activities.
Barozzo said fire incidents usually increase from March to April due to the change from the cold weather to the hot season of the Philippines.
“Kapag mainit ang panahon lumalaki ang mga wirings na kung saan puwede siyang mag-cause ng sunog or pag overload ng mga gamit dahil sa paggamit ng mga appliances,” he explained.
BFP 11 intensified information campaign to prevent fire incidents such as conducting routine visits to different establishments in the Davao Region and implementing Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan, which is BFP’s response to the ever-growing demand for a more adaptive, comprehensive, and immersive fire protection program.
“Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan kung saan ang mga brangay ay pinupuntahan natin at nagbibigay ng trainings sa bawat barangay and equipping our stakeholders na puwede silang tumulong sa atin sa pagresponde sa sunog,” Barozzo said.
Other prevention activities that are being conducted include fire safety inspections of different establishments to ensure that they follow the correct guidelines in the fire code to prevent fires and frequent visits of BFP to the different schools to encourage students in participating activities related to fire safety such as fire drills.
