AS PART of its fire prevention efforts, the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has begun distributing fire extinguishers to barangays to enhance their emergency response capabilities.
Each of the 27 barangays in the city will receive 100 fire extinguishers, totalling 2,700 units, said DRRMO head Buddy Ybañez in an interview on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
These fire extinguishers will be placed in strategic locations, particularly in areas identified as vulnerable to fires.
The initiative aligns with the observance of Fire Prevention Month this March, emphasizing community preparedness amid heightened fire risks during the dry season.
So far, 12 barangays have received their allocations, including Casuntingan, Cabancalan, Tabok, Maguikay, Tingub, Cubacub, Canduman, Jagobiao, Casili, Tawason, Basak, and Pagsabungan.
The remaining barangays are expected to receive theirs within the month.
Apart from fire extinguishers, barangays in the city’s upland cluster Canduman, Casili, Cubacub, Pagsabungan, Basak, Jagobiao, and Tawason were also given medical jump kits and megaphones to bolster their response to emergencies.
According to the DRRMO, placing fire extinguishers in high-risk areas will help barangay responders and residents act swiftly during fire incidents.
Ybañez urged local communities to remain vigilant, emphasizing that preparedness and quick action can prevent widespread damage and loss of life.
“As the dry season increases the likelihood of fires, we are reinforcing measures to mitigate risks,” he said.
The DRRMO reminds the public to practice fire safety at home and in workplaces, ensuring that firefighting equipment is accessible and functional. / CAV