BACOLOD City – Following a series of fire incidents here, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the city government of Bacolod will intensify emergency response, particularly in the 119 fire “red zones”.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez met with the BFP to discuss this on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Fire Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, city fire marshal, disclosed to city officials that the 119 “red zones” across the city’s 61 barangays are hard-to-access areas for fire trucks due to narrow pathways and obstructions.
The city’s BFP saw a 10 percent increase in fire incidents so far this year, compared to 2023.
BFP-Bacolod received 80 fire calls in January, 14 of which were residential fires, with the total cost of damages pegged at P8,193,000.
Meanwhile, there were eight fire calls in the first week of February, with an estimated P1,540,000 worth of damages. Four of these incidents were residential fires, and one was industrial.
Following these, Benitez ordered the bureau to intensify its response and continue coordinating with the city for the mapping of these areas.
On the part of the barangays, Liga ng mga Barangay president and Taculing punong barangay Lady Gles Pallen said they will initiate community discussions through the BFP’s Ligtas na Pamayanan campaign to educate the residents on fire prevention, safety and mitigation, such as a proper pail relay.
She added that the barangays will also assess if there is a need to install hydrants.
The barangays also vowed to strengthen the Community Fire Auxiliary Group as well as the barangay-based firefighters and first responders.
“Pa-intyindihon gid ang pumuluyo nga wala sang makabulig una sa ila kundi ang self nila mismo, gani tudluan gid sila,” Pallen said. (With details from RMN DYHB Bacolod 747)/PN
