The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Friday that local government units (LGUs) have a significant role to play this Fire Prevention Month to ensure that properties are kept safe, especially during the hot months.
“Our local government units have a big role, especially in the implementation of the Fire Code because they are our partners in implementing fire safety measures in a building,” BFP spokesperson Col. Annalee Atienza said in a public briefing.
“So, if we all work together to make our fellows the city or municipality comply, we can improve our town and ensure peace and order in our area of responsibility,” she added.
Under the Fire Code, the BFP is required to enforce the provisions of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines for all buildings, facilities, or structures built before or after its implementation.
Atienza, moreover, reported the alarming 3,044 fire incidents in the country from January 1 to March this year, which is more than 25 percent higher compared to last year’s statistics.
According to Atienza, lit cigarettes have been the leading cause of fire in the country, followed by open flame from cooking and faulty electrical ignition.
She emphasized the need to spread awareness and consciousness to the community to lessen fire incidents.
“Ito pong nakikita po natin, ‘yun nga po ‘yung sa smoking pero to sum up all these, masasabi po natin na kakulangan pa rin ng consciousness ng community, kaya nga po ang emphasis ngayon ng agency is i-empower natin, i-enrich natin ‘yung awareness ng community doon po sa mga barangay talaga mismo,” Atienza said.
(What we’re seeing here is the issue with smoking, but to sum it all up, we can say that the community still lacks consciousness. That’s why the emphasis of the agency now is to empower and enrich the awareness of the community, especially in the barangays.)