Fire Incidence in Davao Region Goes Up

The cliché “when there is smoke there is fire” is now modified to “when there is smoke there is fire and when there is fire it’s March!”.  Presidential Proclamation No. 115- A declared March to be the official observation of Fire Prevention Month. The Proclamation aimed to promote, provide education and awareness to lessen the incidence of fire in the country.

The activities for the nationwide observance of Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines are administered by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), local government units, firefighting volunteers, and schools. It is observed annually. Topping the causes of fire incidents is faulty wiring or improper installation of electrical cords.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region XI reported a 46.4 percent leap in the number of fire incidents compared to last year’s data.  BFP Fire Inspector Nestor Jimenez said that based on their investigations most of the fire incidents in Davao Region were caused by electrical short circuits. BFP estimated that damages caused by fire climbed to P62.295 million. Jimenez also added that in February alone the total estimated damage to property already swelled to P1.825 million.

Alden Agbon, a call center agent and resident of Gen. Malvar St stressed, “we don’t have any fire extinguisher in our place and we haven’t yet had any seminar or orientation organized by the Barangay on how to prevent fire, being careful is just our only way to prevent fire-related incidents. When we saw what happened to our neighbor when their house was burned to ashes we realized that there really was a need to promote fire awareness in the community, I pity those kids who were burned alive last year:”

The BFP must extend its efforts and information dissemination and play central role in lessening the rate damages to properties and even lives. It is mandated in the Republic Act No. 6975 that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires in buildings, houses and other structures. The BFP enforces the Fire Code and other related laws and investigates all causes of fires and, if necessary, files the proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.

 Ann Gelene Balgos, a student in Holy Cross of Davao College said, “we were really down that time na nasunugan mi kay nadamay lang man among balay sa sunog, lisud mobangon labi na kung wlay laing makatabang, nahospital pud after sa sunog ang akong papa, ingon pa nila mas mayo pa makawatan kaysa masunogan”.