BFP steps up fire prevention campaign

THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Tuesday vowed to intensify its fire prevention campaign as it called on the public to be extra careful to prevent fire incidents.

The agency is celebrating the 35th Fire Prevention Month, which started Tuesday.

With the theme: "Kahandaan Sa Sunog...Tungo Sa Kaunlaran," the BFP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC), and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, Barangay Fire Brigades and the Philippine National Police (PNP) started the celebration with a mass, followed by a motorcade and the simultaneous blowing of siren to all Davao City Fire District sub-stations and volunteer fire brigades.

"Actually, as we celebrate the Fire Prevention Month, we would also like to remind our brothers and sister here in Davao City and nearby provinces na hindi porke't prevention month ngayon saka lang tayo maghahanda. No, everyday is fire prevention day," said Chief Inspector Carlos T. Dueñas, district fire marshal of BFP.

Dueñas said during the first two months of this year, their office had already recorded 16 fire incidents that resulted to four deaths.

"Nakakalungkot. So dapat every day, we should be aware and maging preventive always," Dueñas said.

Former President President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared March as Fire Prevention Month.

Duenas said the month-long celebration in the city will be highlighted by the so-called Fire Square Activity on March 4, where elementary and high school students from different public schools will compete in a quiz bee and poster making contest.

"We chose them para at their age malaman na nila kung ano yung kahalagahan ng prevention, so we could also emphasize to them kung paano maghanda para makaiwas sa sunog," Dueñas said. (Ivy C. Tejano)