ILOILO City – If New Year’s wishes do come true, for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) it should be this: that fire won’t hit this city this New Year celebration.
But just in case fire erupts, Chief Inspector Christopher Regencia, city fire marshal, said BFP-Iloilo City has 50 fire officers and 12 fire trucks on standby to respond.
These are on top of fire volunteer organizations in the city, said Regencia.
BFP-Iloilo City has been on red alert since Dec. 27.
Regencia said there were no fire incidents in the city since Dec. 24 and he hoped this would be sustained.
December last year BFP-Iloilo recorded five fire incidents.
Regencia also pressed for the strict adherence to the firecracker regulations of the city government – sell and buy only in designated firecracker zones.
“Gusto ko lang magbigay ng payo sa mga mamimili. Bawal manigarilyo while buying paputok. Dapat ang nagbebenta ay may nakahanda na sand, water and fire extinguisher para kung may fire ma-stop kaagad. Sa mga magpapaputok dapat nasa plaza lang or on vacant lots and away from residences,” Regencia added.
FIRECRACKER ZONES
Firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors here are allowed to sell in only three areas this holiday season – Circumferential Road C1 in Arevalo district, on the corner of the East Coast Iloilo-Capiz Road and Circumferential Road in Jaro district, and along Muelle Loney Street in the City Proper.
Vendors may set up kiosks in these areas beginning Dec. 23, according to Senior Fire Officer 4 Aquilino Sampiano, chief of operation of the Iloilo City Fire Station.
The firecracker selling will be allowed up to Dec. 31 only.
Vendors, however, must first secure special permits from the Bureau of Fire Protection, from the Business Permits and Licensing Office of city hall, and from the Firearm and Explosive Office of the Police Regional Office 6 in Camp Delgado.
Vendors must follow the specifications and requirements for kiosks, said Sampiano. These are the following:
* 4×2-meter area
* exterior wall – galvanized iron sheet
* interior wall – Hardiflex
* use only LED lights for illumination
* no electrical sockets allowed
* cooking not allowed
* must have a fire extinguisher, stock of water or sand
“All kiosks must also display prominently the sign ‘No testing and no smoking’,” said Sampiano.
The fire bureau identified eight
firecrackers that may be sold: Baby Rocket, Bawang, Small Triangulo, Pulling
Strings, Paper Caps, El Diablo, Judah’s Belt, and Sky Rocket.
For pyrotechnics, the following are allowed: Sparklers, Luces, Fountain, Jumbo
Regular and Special, Mabuhay, Roman Candles, Trompillo, Whistle Devices,
Airwolf, and Butterfly
Meanwhile, the following firecrackers and pyrotechnics are banned:
* Watusi
* Piccolo
* Mother Rockets
* Pillbox
* Boga
* Big Judah’s Belt
* Big Bawang
* Kwiton
* Goodbye Philippines
According to Sampiano, these firecrackers and pyrotechnics are too powerful, thus dangerous to public safety.
Blasting firecrackers or pyrotechnics to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year is a Filipino tradition. The loud sound created by the blast is believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck./PN
