Fire prevention consciousness

TODAY ushers in the start of the annual Fire Prevention Month which includes April and May and even June when the stingy rainy season sputters in to bring relief to the perspiring bodies.

Yes, March is the traditional Fire Prevention Month and every local government unit's fire department is tasked to disseminate information about the occurrence and prevention thereof of fire incidents and in some places, conflagration which results in the loss of lives and properties.

It is, however, to the credit of the hardworking men and women of fire departments that fires are contained in considerable fashion and time and mortality rates are not that staggering.

In other countries, grass fires are often observed and damages are estimated to be in the millions. In contrast, here in the Philippines, there is not much grass to talk about since former grazing lands are now taken over by subdivisions and the only grass I know perhaps is the “damo” being grown in the uplands in Benguet, ha ha!

In Mabalacat City, Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Rodel M. Manuel has to make do with a decrepit fire truck to respond to fire alarms and actual fire incidents. Cooperative fire elements from nearby areas help put out fires, but considering that Mabalacat is now a city, is it not proper that it gets at least one brand new fire truck? Of course, I know Mayor Boking Morales has serious plans to augment whatever passes off as a fire truck for the city, di ba, Mayor? The big question is: when will this plan be realized?

I should make mention of the staff of the Mabalacat City Fire Station: SFO2 Richard C. Medina in charge of Operations, SFO2 Lorenti San Diego, CRO, Bldg Plan Evaluator/Assessor, SFO2 Dante Romero, Administrative Officer, FO3 Noel D. Delfin, FSI & PIO, FO2 Benigno S. Gotiangco, SAO/Electrical Inspector, FO2 Isagani Santos, BPE, DPO and FO1 Gracelli Suba, Collecting Agent/PIS. These people deserve to see their names in print due to their commendable rendition of public service, despite scarce resources at their disposal. Fire Marshal Manuel and his men are at the thick of things disseminating information via cable and radio interviews with the theme: Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan Nang Matamasa and Pag-unlad ng Bayan. A good theme and motive indeed. Next move is ours, gentlemen.

* * *
Trainings galore. In cooperation with Tesda and Peso, the city's Social and Development office headed by Ms. Lapurisima P. Gomez is busy with the spearheading of training courses such as Hair Care and Styling, Electronics and Auto Servicing, aside, of course, with the taxing job of handling the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the national government. These offices are endearing themselves with the clientele without much fanfare and glitter.

* * *

Also yesterday, King's Manpower, a Poea accredited recruitment agency conducted interviews for domestic helpers for Hong Kong and Malaysia, in coordination with Peso Mabalacat. Hopefully, more workers will be deployed in the coming months. By the way, a Barangay Day was held at Lakandula for medical and dental mission and local employment.